Trash Report Asg
Andy Mulligan was inspired by his visit to a third-world dump in Manila, Philippines. After seeing the devastating living conditions, and how children developed, he decided to share his experience with the world to help us better understand how even our day-to-day actions can impact a child far away.
Your Task
This assignment will have two parts: A) The Research Report + B) The Seminar. During both parts, you will be researching real-world issues, and sharing those with the class. Additionally, you will be making connections to the novel as you practice your analysis of the story elements.
Assignment Checklist
Issue Proposal – December 7th
Research Notes – December 19th
Final Report – January 12th
Part A – The Research Report
Step 1 – Issue Proposal
You will complete an issue proposal that includes:
What your issue is
What you know so far about the issue
A summary paragraph of ONE source about your issue (include the citation)
What your plan is to complete the work on time
Make a new folder in your Google Drive titled “Trash Research Report”. Include your
name in the title of this folder and on all documents you work on.
Step 2 – Completing your Research and Synthesizing Data
Create a document titled “Trash Research Notes”. Find THREE additional sources for your research notes and include the following for EACH:
Include the source (website address, book), the title, and the author/organization that made it
3-4 sentences about what the source is about, AND how you can use it for your project
A good source should be credible (information is logical/recent*), reliable (source is professional, can be trusted), and include qualitative and/or quantitative data
What does your research reveal about the issue?
What recommendations can you make that might help solve the issue? List 4-5
recommendations, and how your research would support this recommendation.
Step 3 – Fill in the Report Structure
At this point, you can now begin organizing and completing your report. Sections that you will likely be using are:
Introduction
Data
Analysis
Conclusions
Step 4 – Make Recommendations to solve the Issue
In any report, the author must make recommendations that might resolve the issue. Outline 3-4 recommendations that you would make to resolve the issue based on your data collection. For each recommendation, include:
The recommendation
What data did you collect that justifies this recommendation?
How does this recommendation would contribute to a solution?
You can include this as part of your “Conclusion” paragraph, or as its own section.
Step 5 – Make Connections to the Story Elements
Now that you have a report on your issue, it’s time to connect it to the story. In this section, you will make 3-4 connections from your report to the story elements of the novel (Character, Conflict, Setting, Symbol, Plot, Theme). You cannot do a story element twice.
For each story element, you will include:
A description of the story element you have chosen
o E.g. If you chose Raphael, then describe his character using character traits
Select a quote from your notes that exemplifies his traits and/or identity
Explain how the quote matches the story element
Outline the connection between the story element and your issue. How are the two
related? (**Should be 2-3 sentences for this connection)
Part B – The Seminar
Now that you have you’re report complete, the next step is to share your findings with the class and educate them about the issue you’ve chosen to explore. In small groups, you will share your report and story connections, and facilitate a workshop to teach the class about your issue.
Help the group explore the issue
It is important to make other students aware of the issue you’ve chosen to discuss. To do this effectively, you can:
Share your report with the group
Have the group complete a short activity related to your issue
Brainstorm with the group an action plan that addresses your social issue
Teacher Recommendation…
Make a PowerPoint or poster that outlines the details of your report. Nothing here is new information the presentation breaks down your report into a “presentation friendly” format. Consider the following structure:
Issue and Description (2-3 slides) – This section will describe your topic and where it is an issue. This covers the details in your “Introduction” section, and serves to help your group understand the issue.
Data/Research (3-4 slides) –Share the results of your research. It can include answers to the following:
o How does your research reflect the issue you are exploring?
o How is the issue impacting people? How many people?
o Include qualitative and quantitative data
o Be specific, and use examples where you can.
Recommendations (2-3 slides) – propose possible solutions to the problem that are
realistic and something the everyday citizen (you) can be a part of
Trash Research Presentation Rubric
Expectations & Curriculum Level
Student effectively communicates learning during seminar
Workshops are facilitated purposefully, and action plan is developed with students Issue and report findings are discussed with purpose and clarity
A2. Speaking to Communicate: use speaking skills and strategies appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes
Report issue is clearly stated and explored
Data and research is collected, and used effectively to develop and explore issue Recommendations are made and explained, and supported with data and justification Student make purposeful connections between the novel AND the issue (3-4 connections)
B1. Reading for Meaning: read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning
Student locates specific information when researching (understanding headings, style elements of research reports) and uses it purposefully
Evidence from both the novel and the research is used to establish an effective connection between the two Student demonstrates knowledge of the story elements, and the role they play in creating theme and
meaning
B2. Understanding Form and Style: recognize a variety of text forms, text features, and stylistic elements and demonstrate understanding of how they help communicate meaning
B3. Reading With Fluency: use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently
All components of the report are complete and purposeful
Appropriate ideas/evidence is gathered to explore the issue and story elements
Purpose of report is clear, and developed with evidence/content from research and the novel
C1. Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience
Report structure is used effectively to explore/convey the issue Sections are created and used effectively to organize information Tone, diction, and style are formal, support the seriousness of the issue Spelling/Grammar is used to support the meaning of the report
C2. Using Knowledge of Form and Style: draft and revise their writing, using a variety of informational, literary, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience
C3. Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading, and publishing skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively
Medium for seminar is chosen appropriately, and assists in conveying the meaning of the report Activity is included – action plan or other – and addresses the issue effectively
Discussion with students is focused, and shares necessary details for students to learn/act on the issue Seminar organization is well structured and intentional – planned efficiently and completed according to the
plan (with minor adjustments as necessary)
D1. Understanding Media Texts: demonstrate an understanding of a variety of media texts
D2. Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques: identify some media forms and explain how the conventions and techniques associated with them are used to create meaning
