Biology 1, SY 2009-2010
Activity: Small Group Discussion on
Environmental Problems
The class will be divided into 5 groups of 6 members. Each group is expected to produce the following
output:
6 minutes oral report (for group sharing)
o Evidence of the problem: WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHO
o Causes of the problem: WHY
o Solutions to the problem: HOW
1-page (short bond) flyer (provide copies for group sharing, submit one copy to teacher)
o May be computerized or handmade
o Must properly cite sources of text and images used(see handout: SCI WRITING - Citing
References.pdf, available at the photocopier and through our YahooGroup)
Groupings and Topics:
Topic Members (CN)
Air pollution, specifically CO2 emissions 1 6 11 16 21 26
Water pollution, specifically oil spills 2 7 12 17 22 27
Deforestation 3 8 13 18 23 28
Wildlife trade 4 9 14 19 24 29
Introduced and invasive species 5 10 15 20 25 30
On the day of the small group discussion, each topic group will be distributed into 6 discussion groups.,
as illustrated below:
Topic Grp 1 Topic Grp 2 Topic Grp 3 Topic Grp 4 Topic Grp 5
(6 members) (6 members) (6 members) (6 members) (6 members)
CO2 emissions Oil spills Deforestation Wildlife trade Introduced/in-
vasive species
Discussion Grps (1 to 6); 5 members each

For each discussion group, each of the 5 members will be given 6 minutes to deliver their oral report and
show/distribute their flyers. Members of the discussion group are encouraged to ask the reporter
questions, or to give their own insight on the situation.
Criteria for Grading:
Your teacher AND your classmates will be grading you based on the following criteria (highest grade –
10; lowest grade – 2):
1. MASTERY OF SUBJECT MATTER
a. Was able to report on the topic w/o referring to 10 8 6 4 2 a. Reported straight from the flyer or from
the flyer or any notes. personal notes, w/o giving personal
input on the subject.
b. Expertly answered questions about the topic. 10 8 6 4 2 b. Could not answer questions about the
topic.
2. COMPLETENESS OF REPORT
Covered the required points of discussion: evidence of the 10 8 6 4 2 Did not touch on any of the required points for
problem, causes of the problem, and solutions to the problem. discussion.
3. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FLYER
The flyer got the message across through the use of sufficient 10 8 6 4 2 The flyer wasn’t informative at all.
and relevant text and images.
4. VISUAL APPEAL OF FLYER
Appropriate images supplemented the text and made the flyer 10 8 6 4 2 The flyer presented all its information in the form
visually attractive. of blocks of text.