CHAPTER CHALLENGE SENIOR, 2012-2013 Copyright 2010, S. Burkhart
A set of projects will accompany every chapter. Your goal is to DEEPEN and ENHANCE our understanding of chapter material, not just rehash it! The projects will remain the same, but will change according to the topic of the chapter. You will draw a card for each chapter study and complete the related project it describes. All projects should include applicable citations. Each should require 2 – 4 hours prep. The chapter cards are as follows:
1. SCIENTIFIC DRESS-UP! Examine a scientist indicated in the application chapter, investigating his/her background and contribution to the work of the chapter (example: Newton and his laws of physics)
2. ARTSY PANTS! Create an artistic rendering of some aspect of the chapter using sculpture, photography, sketches, or any other form of art (example: draw the steps of the water cycle, draw the planets of our solar system).
3. DEMONSTRATOR DIVA (OR DIVO)! Design/formulate a demonstration for the class illustrating some theory, law, or principle within the chapter. (example: think about pulling a tablecloth from under dishes on a table – this demonstrates Newton’s first law.
4. CONSTRUCTION FOREPERSON! Construct/build and show an item relating to the chapter (example: make a compass that demonstrates how magnets are used to find the direction north)
5. DOCTOR OF FUN! Construct/formulate a game involving ideas or details from the chapter (example: pin the cloud on the atmosphere level, a card game that involves matching definitions; model after some of the games you already know or make up a clever one of your own!)
6. CHEF SURPRISE! Investigate a multi-step process or model something in the chapter with food and have each student create a “snack” of their own (example: create a DNA strand with Twizzlers and pretzels sticks…)
7. MINI-LAB MASTER! Conduct and direct a 10 to 15 minute experimental mini-lab employing the rules, principles, and standards currently used in our large chapter labs (example: how many labs have we done people, come on!)
8. WILD CARD! You decide what you’d like to create for this chapter, as long as it does not include one of the other project plans.
9. STORYTELLER! Summarize in depth, a current (within 2 mos.) news article on the chapter topic. Then give the peanut gallery 7 questions on your summary to see who’s on the ball, and bring relevant prizes for the winning team!
10. REALITY SHOW STAR! Videotape yourself carrying out AND explaining one of the concepts in the chapter.
11. DUDE, I’M A VISUAL LEARNER! Use info related to the chapter and create 2 hand-produced graphs, charts, or visual aids! (Example: interview families who recycle versus those who don’t and find out the top reasons why they do/don’t…)
12. TECHTASTIC! Your creativity gets a turn to flex its muscles! Here, you’ll be contributing to Mrs. Burkhart’s blog!
13. APPSOLUTELY TECHIFYING! Just like every good cell phone has apps, you’re in charge of creating 3 of your own that solve problems related to the chapter! You’ll need poster board for this!
14. A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! You and your camera become best buds as you use pictures to explain concepts associated with the chapter!
General rules: The project you decide on must not already be part of the neither chapter labs nor demonstrations. You will be graded on numerical grade basis. You will receive a zero for no project plan. Should you create written instructions for your classmates, the teacher should receive a copy. Remember, reading is never acceptable, use note cards for reference only!
Rubrics for each project are as follows:
CHAPTER CHALLENGE SENIOR RUBRIC, 2012-2013 revised 7/12
1. SCIENTIFIC DRESS-UP (15 minutes max)
_____student adequately portrays the physical characteristics of scientist,
along with appropriate effort with regard to dress
_____includes an 8 minute talk on the scientist’s personal history (2 mins for questions), details of background that relate to topic and scientific contributions, may use note cards (with bullet points, not read!)
_____demonstrates appropriate public speaking skills (clarity, attention, no looking at floor, shuffling or swinging of body…)
_____pictures of related things and highlighted scientist
2. ARTSY PANTS (10 minutes max)
_____ student demonstrates some concept of the chapter that shows initiative and ingenuity, NOT just a picture
_____ employs an interesting method with which to convey information, is colorful unless otherwise required
_____project is large enough for class to as learning tool(s)
_____explanation is well planned and professional (no reading)
3. DEMONSTRATOR DIVA/DIVO (10 minutes max)
_____ student has brought all necessary items for demo
_____demo shows an important concept related to chapter shows ingenuity/initiative
_____demo works appropriately
_____explanation is professional and well organized (no reading)
4. CONSTRUCTION FOREPERSON (10 minutes max)
_____student creates a 3-D project that demonstrates some aspect of the chapter using ingenuity/initiative
_____ project works correctly, is accurate, and appears sturdy enough to be used several times throughout the chapter
_____ project reflects a concept/idea that is portrayed within grade level
_____explanation appears well planned, professional, and organized (no reading)
5. DOCTOR OF FUN (15 minutes max)
_____student creates a learning game demonstrating some aspect of chapter that is engaging and shows initiative
_____necessary materials provided, including playing instructions
_____ neat and grammatically correct, material presented is accurate and well-thought out, including minor rule clarification and detail
_____game on grade level and shows adequate attention to detail
6. CHEF SURPRISE (15 minutes max)
_____student uses multiple food items to demonstrate some chapter aspect using initiative/ingenuity
_____ directions are written or well explained in a professional and concise manner
_____item being created demonstrates a multi-step process, in an effort to learn complicated parts of a whole
______ALL items brought are kosher and served on appropriate day (Verified by Mrs. B and AT STUDENT’S REQUEST by 24 hours before presentation); $15 BUDGET MAXIMUM ON MATERIALS
7. MINI – LAB MASTER (15 minutes max)
_____lab makes sense and appears logical (on level for grade)
_____student presents a mini-lab that can be accurately accomplished by class within the prescribed time period of 15 minutes
_____appropriate materials brought and used
_____instructions presented for each student (on board, transparency or copied and concisely, professionally verbalized) with teacher copy
8. WILD CARD (15 minutes max)
_____student employs teaching method different than other cards, shows ingenuity
_____project presented shows a concept or idea of chapter
_____shows adequate work output and creative thought
_____any verbalizations appear professional and well prepared (no reading)
9. STORYTELLER (15 minutes max)
_____NON-PLAGIARIZED summary presented (min. 6 minutes) with title, author, source included and min. 2 related pics, explained logically
_____appropriate/professional speaking techniques employed (no reading!)
_____copy of article submitted BEFORE presentation begins
_____7 minimum questions for class and article-related prizes provided (remember, no specific dates/numbers/foreign words; stuff people can’t recall)
10. REALITY SHOW STAR! (10 mins)
_____student produces a video carrying out and explaining a concept or idea related to the chapter
_____video shows ingenuity, quality and professional production
_____idea on grade level and presentation follows verbalization standards
_____CD works when called upon to present
11. DUDE, I’M A VISUAL LEARNER (10 mins)
_____student depicts some topic-related information using 2 visual aids
_____hand crafted, not printed out of made at Kinko’s
_____colorful and professional, neat
_____accurate in conveying info, in-depth enough for class to use as a tool in understanding chapter related material
_____sensibly and professionally explained
_____each must have 3 – D aspect
12. TECHTASTIC (your own time)
_____Student provides a written documentary on 4 Chapter Challenges presented for the chapter, posted on Mrs. Burkhart’s BLOG
_____Each must be a minimum of 100 words and 1 pic of each student
_____Camera acquired BEFORE FIRST CHAPTER CHALLENGE
_____a printed copy of written information is submitted to Mrs. Burkhart by due date and blog entry is signed w/ name, date, grade
_____due date is DAY AFTER final Chapter Challenge presentation, able to be accessed normally
13. APPSOLUTELY TECHIFYING (10 minutes)
_____student creates a set of three (3) app pictures and descriptions that solve 3 problems or address 3 (three) needs related to chapter
_____app on poster board, with 3 hand-drawn pictures depicting each app
_____full 100-word description included with each picture (word count)
_____verbal description of each is thorough but not read (note cards only)
_____project reflects pride, neatness, and shows imagination
14. A PICTURE’S WORTH 1000 WORDS (15 minutes)
_____student uses pictures, contained on a smart board display to discuss some idea related to chapter material, minimum 7 minutes
_____12 pictures used
_____conveys ideas that DEEPEN and ENHANCE chapter material, no rehash
_____no reading (note cards only), with sensible and reasonable verbal skills employed (minimal stumbling, swaying…)
____concept presented on grade level and understandably represented
