Friday, October 30, 2015

Chapter 9 & 10 Video Extravaganza! – Blog Assignment

Assignment: For “Planet in Peril” write a one-page summary. For all other video clips write a one-paragraph summary for each video clip (7 paragraphs). Take notes while you are watching the videos and then write your summaries after watching each clip. On the TOP-right corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write your name, the class, the period, and the date. On the TOP-left corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write the name of this assignment "Chapter 9 & 10 Video Extravaganza! – Blog Assignment". This needs to be in the TOP margin at the top of the paper, not in the lined portion.

Due Friday November 6th

1. Watch “Planet in Peril”- CNN- Anderson Cooper from the beginning up to 1:02. Skip the Yellowstone section from 29:00 to 39:00 (you already watched this). Write a one-page summary.

2. Watch “PRI: How to save endangered species” and write a one-paragraph summary.

3. Watch “California Condors” and write a one-paragraph summary.

4. Watch “FSC® Certification to Protect Habitat for the Amur Tiger in the Russian Far East” and write a one-paragraph summary.

5. Watch “CNN Explains: Deforestation” and write a one-paragraph summary.

6. Watch “The Swedish Forestry Model: Environmental Atlas of Europe” and write a one-paragraph summary.

7. Watch “HOME - The Deforestation: Soybean, Palm Oil, Eucalyptus” and write a one-paragraph summary.

8. Watch “How Fighting Wildfires Makes Them Worse” and write a one-paragraph summary.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Trophic Cascades- Synthesis Essay


If you look up the definition of "synthesize" you will find that it is to "combine (a number of things) into a coherent whole." In contrast, a summary is meant to "give a brief statement of the main points of (something)." For this assignment, ensure you are synthesizing, not summarizing.  You will be weaving together information from different videos, literature, and articles into one piece of writing that covers all of the ideas and themes presented in the videos, literature, and articles. Therefore, instead of breaking down the main points of each video, article, piece of literature into separate paragraphs, find common themes and differences within the videos, literature, and articles and organize them into your synthesis.  It is a good idea to take notes first, then analyze your notes to determine the common themes to organize your thoughts, and then write your synthesis essay.

You are not required to use MLA citations for this assignment.  However keep in mind that the project at the end of the semester will require both synthesis and proper use of MLA style citations.

You will be synthesizing four different sources.  They are all embedded below.  
1) Video- “Planet in Peril”- CNN- Anderson Cooper.  Watch only the ten-minute segment from 29:34 to 39:04 (you will watch the rest during other chapters).
2) Video- “How Wolves Change Rivers”
3) Book Excerpt- Thinking Like a Mountain By Aldo Leopold   
4) Nature Article- Rethinking predators: Legend of the wolf 

On the TOP-right corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write your name, the class, the period, and the date. On the TOP-left corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write the name of this assignment "Trophic Cascades- Synthesis Essay". This needs to be in the TOP margin at the top of the paper, not in the lined portion.
Length Requirement: 1-2 pages; length is not as important as substance. 
Due Monday October 26th