simplified instructions for the paper

Due: Friday, 3/30/07
Length: 600 words
Purpose: To extend our understanding of global warming and to make a commitment to take action to reverse it.
Typed? Recommended, but not required.
Points: 50 points

The paper has three parts. Each part should be about 200 words.

PART 1. Personal response. Look over your notes and think about the film. Give your opinion on one or two specific parts of the film. Don't just say "global warming is bad" or "I didn't like the film" ... be specific. [USE YOUR NOTES]

PART 2. Tell about one "interesting but out of reach" way to save energy. This is something that you personally cannot do right now, but it is a way to reduce global warming. (Examples: hybrid cars, energy-efficient home design, biodiesel technology, etc.) Explain how it works and how it could reduce global warming. [INTERNET RESEARCH]

PART 3. Choose one or two energy-saving changes that you can make in your life right now. Explain how this idea works and how it could reduce global warming. Then, describe your plan of action: where can you get the materials? How much does it cost to do this? How will you go about making it happen. (Examples: fluourescent lightbulbs, composting, growing a garden, buying locally grown food, turning off lights, etc. -- simple stuff.) [INTERNET RESEARCH]

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Where do I go to do research? Here are some websites that might be helpful. You can also do your own internet searching. Remember, research means searching, exploring, hunting... don't expect to find what you are looking for right away. It takes persistence.

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/
http://www.rprogress.org/newprojects/ecolFoot/faq/index.shtml -
http://www.newdream.org/cnad/user/turn_the_tide.php -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_architecture -
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/chklst.htm

One week until spring break!

NOTE: I will be checking binders all week, so be sure to bring your neat, orderly binder every day.

Schedule for Week 9 of Third Quarter:

• Mon., 3/26 - Library computer lab - research for your 600-word RESPONSE PAPER (see last week's post for instructions) to An Inconvenient Truth.
• Tues., 3/27 - Room 106 computer lab - type your paper
• Th., 3/29 - Room 109 - Watch the final 10 minutes of the film; tutorial for the rest of the period
• Fri., 3/30 - Room 109 - 600-word RESPONSE PAPER is due.

Week 8-9 assignment

This week in class we'll be watching the film that won Best Documentary of 2006 at this year's Academy Awards: An Inconvenient Truth. Read a little about the film here.

Remember that there are basically only two weeks left in the third quarter! Spring Break starts Friday, March 30, and when you return, you'll have exams and then the quarter will be over. (And don't forget parent-teacher conferences will happen immediately after third quarter....)

Binder checks will happen throughout the next two weeks, so be prepared.

Here's the schedule for this week:

• Monday, 3/19 - Read the rest of this post (5 min.), take the Ecological Footprint Quiz and post your results -- with your name -- as a comment (10 min.), do some Keytrain (20 min., no math allowed), and use the rest of the period for tutorial.
• Tuesday, 3/20 - Part 1, An Inconvenient Truth - take cornell notes (28 min.), tutorial (20 min.)
• Wednesday, 3/21 - Student Development
• Thursday, 3/22 - Part 2, An Inconvenient Truth - take cornell notes (28 min.), tutorial (20 min.)
• Friday, 3/23 - Part 3, An Inconvenient Truth - take cornell notes (whole period)
• Next week (3/26-3/30): tutorial, time to research in the computer lab one day, binder checks, and one discussion on the film.

Upcoming assignments and due dates:

• Copy and paste your results for the Ecological Footprint Quiz as a comment (click where it says "Posted by Mr. Strom at ... 0 comments" below). Due by the end of the period today, Monday, 3/19. (5 points)
• Turn in all cornell notes (including completed left column and summary section) for all three parts of the film. Due Friday, 3/23. (20 points)
• Deadline to re-take Grammar Unit Test (40 points) from last week: Friday, 3/23. Re-take it any day after school this week.
• Turn in your RESPONSE to the film. Due Friday, 3/30. What's the RESPONSE? Keep reading...

The RESPONSE (due 3/30, worth 50 points) to the film includes the following:

1. Personal response to the film (200 words). This is NOT a summary. Look over your notes -- choose a specific moment from the film and respond to it. You may begin with a brief general reaction to the film as a whole, but this personal response must be based mostly on your response to a specific moment (or maybe two) from the film.
2. Report on at least one "interesting but out of reach" (meaning you can't actually do this yourself) energy-saving or sustainable practice that can reduce one's ecological footprint (200 words). Cite sources!
3. Choose one or two energy-saving or sustainable change(s) you can make to actually reduce your ecological footprint. Describe in detail what you plan to do (where will you purchase the light bulb? how much does it cost? how will you convince your parents to turn down the thermostat?), explain what effect your actions will have, and make a promise to follow through with sustained (long-term) action (200 words). Sign and date your pledge. Cite sources!
4. Include a "Works Cited" section at the end of your paper. (Here's how. FYI, If you want to see an example of what a full research paper looks like, go here.)
5. Also indicate in the body of your paper where your facts came from. Use a phrase like According to climatecrisis.net... to show where you got your info. If you quote directly from a source, use quotation marks (""). Use direct quotes sparingly (not a lot).
6. Create an original heading for each of the three sections (don't just call #1 "Personal Response"). Make sure your name is on each page. It is not required that you type your paper, but it sure would look nice....

Resources for research (#2 and #3):

• http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/
• http://www.rprogress.org/newprojects/ecolFoot/faq/index.shtml - about the Ecological Footprint Quiz - lots of info here!
• http://www.newdream.org/cnad/user/turn_the_tide.php - simple things you can do
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_architecture - about sustainable architecture - read though this article and follow links within the article
• http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/chklst.htm

Good luck! See me if you have any questions. If you need more computer time than we have in class (only two class periods: Monday, 3/19 and Monday, 3/26), you are welcome to stay after school with me. I will find you a computer to work on.