The 7th grade project will have students research the Ring of Fire region over 2-3 weeks. Students will take notes, write about their findings, and create a visual presentation. They will address what is known about the active volcanic region and explain its formation and connection to natural disasters. Presentations can include a PowerPoint, skit, or illustration. Assessments will evaluate comprehension, note taking, writing skills, and presentation skills.

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Name of Project: The Ring of Fire Duration: 2-3 weeks
Subject/Course: Reading, LA, Social Studies Teacher(s): Rowden Grade Level:
7th
Other subject areas to Reading, Social Studies
be included, if any:
Project Idea Students will research the area known as ‘the Ring of Fire”. Information and notes will be combined to create a visual
Summary of the issue, presentation.
challenge, investigation, The pacific plate region known as the ring of fire is the most active volcanic region on earth. 80% of volcanoes and 4
scenario, or problem: out of 5 tsunamis originate in this region.
Volcanic formation
Disaster Research
Note taking
Writing
Revise/ edit
Power point
Theatrical presentation
Themes:, Survival, Disasters, Plate Tectonics
Driving Question What is the Ring of Fire? Explain what scientist know about this area…
Content and Skills 7.1-7.7 Standards
Standards to be
addressed:
T+A E T+A E
© 2008 Buck Institute for Education 1

2. 21st Century Skills Collaboration x Other: Comprehension
to be explicitly taught and
assessed (T+A) or that
will be encouraged (E) by
Presentation x Story Elements
project work, but not
taught or assessed: Critical Thinking: x Organization x
Presentation Audience:
Group: Revise, peer edit, Power Point creation option, Illustration of possible area. Survival skit story x
Culminating re-enactment or Educational Informational Class:
Products and
Performances
School:
x
Community:
Daily reading, weekly online quizzes, chapter projects, illustrations, power Experts:
Individual: point presentation, skit x
Web:
Other:
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Entry event to Johnny Cash: Ring of Fire
launch inquiry,
engage students:
Assessments Quizzes/Tests (Online) Practice Presentations x
Formative
Assessments Journal/Learning Log x Notes x
(During
Project) Preliminary Plans/Outlines/Prototypes Checklists
Rough Drafts x Concept Maps
Online Tests/Exams Other:
Written Product(s), with rubric: Other Product(s) or Performance(s), with rubric:
Summative ___Paragraph writing, Skit (beg, mid, end) __________________________________________________
Assessments _______________________________________________
(End of Project)
Oral Presentation, with rubric x Peer Evaluation
© 2008 Buck Institute for Education 2

3. Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test Self-Evaluation
Essay Test Other:ISTEP Writing Rubric: Project
overview.dochttp://www.doe.in.gov/istep
/2009/pdf/5-12_WA_WP_Rubric.pdf
.
Resources On-site people, facilities: Computer lab,
Needed
Equipment: Computers,
Materials: Class textbook
Community resources:
Reflection Journal/Learning Log x Focus Group
Methods (Individual,
Group, and/or Whole-Class Discussion x Fishbowl Discussion
Whole Class)
Survey Other:
© 2008 Buck Institute for Education 3

4. PROJECT TEACHING AND LEARNING GUIDE
Project: Survival Course/Semester:
P R O J E C T C A L E N D A R
Project: Knowledge and Skills Needed by Students Scaffolding / Materials / Lessons to be Provided
Start Date:
to successfully complete culminating products and by the project teacher, other teachers, experts,
performances, and do well on summative assessments mentors, community members
M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y
PROJECT WEEK ONE
Reading Comprehension Classroom Discussion, Teacher Observation

Vocabulary Development
Spelling

PR O JEC T
Journal Writing E
W Active T W O
E K participant periodic journal (possibly daily)
6 pt. ISTEP Rubric
Power Point  Slide content and quantity rubric
Advanced:
PR O JEC T W E E http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/pptrubric.html
K TH R EE
Simple:
http://www.schools.lth5.k12.il.us/aviston/KBLesson8.html
Skit, or re-enactment  Essay rubric

© 2008 Buck Institute for Education 4