
What prerequisite skills do your students have?
Reading, Writing, Comprehension, MLA citation, Computer Skills

What skills will they need to have?
Grammar, MLA citation, Comprehension, Computer Skills

What resources will you need to complete the learning activity?
Computer, Library, Expert in area to interview

How can you be sure your instruction meets the needs of all your students?
All students will have the opportunity to do a written report along with putting together a
diagram or illustration. All students will have the opportunity to use technology and hands
on ways to obtain information.
North Carolina River Basin Report:
READ AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS!
DO NOT PLAGERIZE, THIS WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC ZERO (0)
PAPER OUTLINE:
TITLE PAGE
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
BODY PARAGRAPHS
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
DIAGRAM/ILLUSTRATION
PAPER DETAILS: Yes, it must be typed!
1. Times New Roman, 12pt font, double spaced, ONLY. MLA format ONLY.
2. 3-5 pages (Minimum of 3 FULL pages and Maximum of 5 FULL PAGES, EXCLUDING
ABSTRACT AND BIBLIOGRAPHY)
3. Title page: MLA format
4. Abstract: (MLA Format) Must be present and at the beginning of the report (on separate
sheet of paper), following the Title Page. The Abstract is a summary to your entire
report.
5. Bibliography: (MLA Format) Must be present and at the end of the report. (On separate
sheet of paper). 3-5 sources must be used. At least one source cannot be Internet
based, which excludes the River Basin Notes
6. Diagram/Illustration: Related to Topic
7. Attach Grading Rubric to back of Final Report Copy
8. Late Papers: Each day 10pts off
PAPER DESCRIPTION: (WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN THE REPORT)
1. What is a River Basin? How many are in North Carolina? What is our Local River
Basin? Are they man made or naturally made?
2. What River Basin are you researching? Why?
3. Description/Facts about the River Basin you chose. Where does your River Basin flow
and end up? What does the area around the River Basin look like?
4. Describe an Ecosystem that can be found in your River Basin. What is the ecosystems
impact on the River Basin (positive and negative)? How is the food web or food chain
affected by this Ecosystem?
5. How do humans (positively or negatively) impact your River Basin? What is the
Environmental impact that your River Basin has on surrounding communities?
POSSIBLE RESOURCES (NOT LIMITED TO JUST THESE) FOR PAPER DETAILS
1. owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
2. http://www.library.cornell.edu/resrch/citmanage/mla
3. http://www.sciencebuddies.org
POSSIBLE RESOURCES (NOT LIMITED TO JUST THESE) FOR PAPER
DESCRIPTION
WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A REAL RESOURCE AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS ONE!
1. WWW.EENORTHCAROLINA.ORG
2. http://www.usgs.gov/
3. http://www.epa.gov/
4. http://www.ncwildlife.org
5. www.ncwater.org
6. LIBRARY
7. SEARCH USING GOOGLE SCHOLAR
8. CHECK THE BACK OF YOUR RIVER BASIN PAMPLET FOR SPECIFIC
RESOURCES
****ATTACHED IS A GRADING RUBRIC. THIS RUBRIC SHOULD BE
ATTACHED TO BACK OF YOUR FINAL REPORT COPY****
Student Name:
CATEGORY
Content of Paper
Amount of
Information
Paragraph
Construction
Sources
Internet Use
Diagrams &
Illustrations
________________________________________
4
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It includes
several supporting
details and/or
examples.
All topics are
addressed and all
questions answered
3
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It provides 1-2
supporting details
and/or examples.
2
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. No details
and/or examples are
given.
All topics are
addressed and most
questions answered
All topics are
One or more topics
addressed, and most were not addressed.
questions answered
All paragraphs include Most paragraphs
introductory
include introductory
sentence,
sentence,
explanations or
explanations or
details, and
details, and
concluding sentence. concluding sentence.
All sources
All sources
(information and
(information and
graphics) are
graphics) are
accurately
accurately
documented in the
documented, but a
desired format.
few are not in the
desired format.
Successfully uses
Usually able to use
suggested internet
suggested internet
links to find
links to find
information and
information and
navigates within
navigates within
these sites easily
these sites easily
without assistance. without assistance.
Did not rely on
Did not rely on
Internet for all
Internet for all
sources
sources
Diagrams and
Diagrams and
illustrations are neat, illustrations are
accurate and add to accurate and add to
the reader\'s
the reader\'s
understanding of the understanding of the
topic.
topic.
Paragraphs included
related information
but were typically not
constructed well.
All sources
(information and
graphics) are
accurately
documented, but
many are not in the
desired format.
Occasionally able to
use suggested
internet links to find
information and
navigates within
these sites easily
without assistance.
Did rely only on
Internet sources
Diagrams and
illustrations are neat
and accurate and
sometimes add to the
reader\'s
understanding of the
topic.
1
Information has little
or nothing to do with
the main topic.
Paragraphing
structure was not
clear and sentences
were not typically
related within the
paragraphs.
Some sources are not
accurately
documented.
Needs assistance or
supervision to use
suggested internet
links and/or to
navigate within these
sites. Did rely on
Internet sources only
or used no resources
given
Diagrams and
illustrations are not
accurate OR do not
add to the reader\'s
understanding of the
topic.