How Can We Make Our Environment Healthier?
An Explanatory Performance Task
for 5th grade Geography
Written by:
Amanda Ramsey
Christina School District
Acknowledgements: Ms. Denise Weiner, Private Consultant in collaboration with the University of Delaware’s
Professional Development Center for Educators
“This document may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. This document is made available in an effort to advance the understanding of performance tasks in general
and as practice of student application. The authors believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted
material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for
purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.”
1
Student Directions
Task:
Your class is preparing a display for Earth Day which will include a poster and essay
about the environment and humans. You have three articles available to help you do
your research.
After you have looked at these sources, you will answer some questions about them.
Briefly scan the sources and the three questions that follow. Then, go back and read
the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the
questions and complete your research. You may use scratch paper to take notes on the
information you find in the sources as you read.
In Part 2, you will write an informational article using the information you have read.
Directions for Beginning:
You will now look at several sources. You can look at any of the sources as often as
you like.
Research Questions:
After reviewing the research sources, use the rest of the time in Part 1 to answer three
questions about them. Your answers to these questions will be scored. Also, your
answers will help you think about the information you have read, which should help you
write your informational article.
You may refer back to your scratch paper to review your notes when you think it would
be helpful. Answer the questions in the spaces below.
Your written notes will be available to you in Part 1 and Part 2 of the performance task.
2
Part 1
Sources for Performance Task
Source #1 Environmental Effects Resulting From Humans
(adapted from www.sustainablebabysteps.com)
Water
Perhaps the most obvious example of a negative human impact on the environment is
water pollution. It's obvious we need water to survive, but few people realize how much
we need and just how much is available. Consider these facts from the United Nations
Environment Program:
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Of all the water on Earth, only 2.5% of it is freshwater
Of that 2.5%, less than 1% is available to us.
Humans each require up to 13 gallons a day of fresh water for drinking, cooking
and cleaning. This does NOT take into account the countless gallons of water
needed to grow food or care for animals.
70% of all freshwater usage goes to irrigation
According to Organic Farming Research Foundation, only 2% of farms are organic. This
means almost 69% of our freshwater supply is being contaminated by chemical
pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Fossil fuels and emissions from farming
machinery are also harmful to water supply sources. These chemical compounds
contribute to acid rain. Since very little can live in an acidic environment, acid rain has
harmful effects on plants, animals, and aquatic life, as well as humans and even
buildings, statues or other objects.
Land
Land pollution is caused by human activities and a misuse of natural resources. Causes
of land pollution include:
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Natural habitats that are removed to make room for communities and roads
Farming which leads to animal manure runoff, the use of chemical fertilizers,
herbicides and pesticides, and the deforestation (cutting down of trees) required
to expand farmland
Littering and human waste dumped in illegal areas
Factories and industries that can increase the production of plastics made with
chemicals, develop poor quality of products, and illegally dump materials and
litter. They also release fossil fuels into the air.
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Air
Air quality across the United States has improved dramatically since 1970 when
Congress passed the Clean Air Act in response to growing pollution problems and
polluted air from coast to coast. But according to the American Lung Association (ALA),
even though air quality around the country is improving overall, some 175 million
Americans - 58 % of the population - still live in places where pollution levels can cause
breathing difficulties or worse.
Some of the factors contributing to poor air quality are:
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Gas and diesel powered vehicles that release fossil fuels
Factories that are also releasing harmful chemicals into the air
By supporting companies that use greener technologies, and by getting involved in our
communities, we can start a trend toward better solutions. By buying less "stuff" and
eating less animal products we can spread the word that better solutions do exist.
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Source #2 Chain Reaction
(adapted from www.earthskids.com)
When the first astronauts traveled out into space they were struck by an amazing vision:
planet Earth, sitting like a blue and green jewel in the blackness of space. The only
planet we know of that definitely has life. The more scientists learn about life on Earth,
the more they realize that Earth is wrapped in a delicate web of environmental systems
that connect, each to the other. Food webs, climate cycles, ocean currents, animal
migrations, carbon/oxygen exchange and so on.
We now know that changes in any one of these systems can have a huge impact.
Similarly, other changes, such as human beings cutting down forests to harvest wood
and clear new farmland, destroys wild animal habitats, and in many cases the animals
themselves. It often creates erosion and destroys the forest watershed that provides
clean drinking water to cities downstream. And it slows the exchange of carbon dioxide
into oxygen, which in turn causes global temperatures to rise.
Too much carbon dioxide leads to temperature changes…which leads to krill die offs in
the ocean, which leads to the decline of fish populations that feed on krill…which leads
to the ocean birds and mammals (penguins, whales, seals, etc.) that feed on fish
struggling for food—competing even more with human beings who are also finding the
supply of fish dropping to dangerous lows. So low that not enough baby fish will be
born and grow to maturity to supply the creatures that depend on them.
But if it all seems overwhelming, consider this: right now we have more technology than
we have ever had before. And we have more ability for scientists, inventors, activists,
and world leaders to communicate with one another, all over the world, than ever
before. We are able to spread the word about problems, share ideas, work together,
and pressure our leaders for change more effectively than any other generation in
history.
Yes, the problem is big. But the group we have assembled to work on it is big too. And
guess what? YOU are part of that group. You, your friends and family, and even your
teachers and kids at school. So do your part. Learn. Spread the word. Email your
government leaders. Share your ideas and your concerns. Together we can make it
happen, one step at a time.
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Source #3
Ways People Are Affecting the Environment Positively
(adapted from www.ecokids.oa/pub/eco_info/topics/biodiversity/human_activities.cfm)
Human activities are responsible for most of the loss in biodiversity throughout the
world. With an increasing population, we are consuming more and more natural
resources. We do this by driving more, using more energy in our homes, and buying
many more products than we need.
Only humans can think and act to make positive changes in the environment. Here are
just a few of the ways we are giving back.
Cleaning Waterways
Waterways get clogged up with the accumulation of natural debris and excessive plant
growth, and also by waste dumping. Periodical clearing prevents flooding of the banks
and protects many ecosystems.
There are many things that you can do to help. Start by asking yourself a few questions
about what you buy. Do you really need the item or just want it? Is the product made
using environment-friendly materials and processes? How far does the product have to
travel to get to me? Is the product able to be disposed of in a manner that doesn’t
negatively impact the environment?
Reforestation Efforts
Ecosystem and habitat loss is the biggest cause in biodiversity decline. People destroy
habitats all the time; when they cut down forests, clear land for farming and build
houses or roads. These changes can force the animals, plants, and microorganisms to
move or go extinct.
You can help by creating habitats in your backyard, schoolyard or community garden.
Plant different kinds of vegetation (shrubs, trees, grasses, etc.) in clumps to make
habitats for different insects and animals.
Plants all over the world clean our air by removing the carbon dioxide from it and
producing the oxygen that we need to breathe. By taking carbon dioxide out of the air
plants also help decrease the risks of climate change.
Plants also help our environment by controlling flooding and mudslides. Plants help
control flooding in two ways: the roots push the soil apart, letting the water soak into the
ground easier; and they slow down the moving water, giving it more time to soak into
the ground. Plants help control mudslides because their roots hold the dirt in place and
help to keep it from sliding down a slope. If you plant trees and shrubs on sloped areas
you can help control flooding and mudslides too!
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Finding Renewable Energy Sources
Bio-fuels made from plant-derived ethanol and oils are used to reduce our dependence
on fast-depleting oil reserves. Wind turbines and solar energy generators can help meet
local electricity needs and take some of the load off the power grid.
Biodiversity also helps us in our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, the greenhouse gases
produced by human activities are building up in the atmosphere and causing climate
change. Climate change is a major threat to biodiversity.
The Development of Local Food Sources
Today there is a growing movement to embrace organic farming. Organic farming is the
process of producing food naturally. This method avoids the use of synthetic chemical
fertilizers and genetically modified organisms to influence the growth of crops.
The main idea behind organic farming is 'zero impact' on the environment. In the end,
the food produced via organic farming is better for your health and the environment that
makes it possible. In the end it is up to us to make informed choices in our daily lives.
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Research Questions
1. Source #1 and Source #2 both discuss the way that human activities affect the
environment. What does Source #1 explain about the human impact that Source
#2 does not? Explain why that information is helpful to the readers. Give two
examples from Source #1 to support your explanation.
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2. Read the following claims. Put a check under the source that supports that
claim. Some claims may have more than one source selected.
Claim
Land pollution, caused by
people, can have a
negative effect on the
carbon dioxide-oxygen
exchange.
Organic farming is one
way that people can limit
their impact on the
environment.
A large portion of our
freshwater supply is
unusable due to
contamination.
Source #1
Source #2
Source #3
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3. Each source explains the ways that humans affect the environment. Explain
why this topic is important. Give two reasons, one from Source #1 and one from
Source #3, to support your explanation. For each reason, include the source
number or title.
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Student Directions
Part 2
You will now review your notes and sources, and plan, draft, revise and edit your
writing. You may use your notes and go back to the sources. Now read your
assignment and the information about how your writing will be scored; then begin your
work.
Your Assignment
Now that you’ve done your research and read the three articles, begin to think about
your own neighborhood, school, and town. In your paper, you will explain ways that you
can reduce your impact on the environment. Make sure you clearly state steps you can
take to make the environment healthier, as well as why people should protect the
environment. Use information from the three sources to support your explanation. Your
work will be on display throughout the cafeteria so that students, teachers and parents
can learn more about helping to make the environment healthier. Develop your ideas
clearly and use your own words, except when quoting directly from the sources. Be
sure to give the source number for the details or facts you use.
REMEMBER: A well-written informational article
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has a clear main idea
is well-organized and stays on the topic
has an introduction and conclusion
uses transitions
uses details from the sources to support your main idea
puts the information from the sources in your own words, except when using
direct quotations from the sources
gives the title or number of the source for the details or facts you included
develops ideas clearly
uses clear language
follows rules of writing (spelling, punctuation, and grammar).
Now begin work on your informational article. Manage your time carefully so that
you can
1. plan your informational article
2. write your informational article
3. revise and edit the final draft of your informational article
For Part 2, you are being asked to write an informational article that is several
paragraphs long. Write your response in the space below. Remember to check your
notes and your pre-writing/planning as you write and then revise and edit your
informational article.
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Source #1 and Source #2 both discuss the way that human activities affect the environment.
What does Source #1 explain about the human impact that Source #2 does not? Explain why
that information is helpful to the readers. Give two examples from Source #1 to support your
explanation.
Score Point
2
1
0
Description
Response is an identification of what Source #1 explains about the way that human activities
affect the environment that Source #2 does not and an adequate evidence-based explanation of
why that information is helpful for the reader supported by two examples from Source #1.
Response is an identification of what Source #1 explains about the way that human activities
affect the environment that Source #2 does not and a limited/partial evidence-based
explanation of why that information is helpful for the reader supported by two vague or loosely
related examples from Source #1.
OR
Response is an identification of what Source #1 explains about the way that human activities
affect the environment that Source #2 does not and an adequate evidence-based explanation of
why that information is helpful for the reader supported by one example from Source #1.
Response is an explanation that is insufficient, incorrect or irrelevant.
Exemplar:
Source #1 and Source #2 both discuss the effects that humans can have on their environment.
However, Source #1 provides more detailed information about the ways that humans pollute land,
water, and air. For example, Source #1 tells me that factories and vehicles used by people release
harmful chemicals into the air, which can lead to breathing difficulties. In the first section of Source #1,
Water, the text explains that there is very little freshwater available to humans, and much of what we
do have is being contaminated by pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and fossil fuels. All of this
information is important because it shows me that we need to improve our water and air quality in
order to make the environment cleaner and safer for all who live here.
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Each source explains the impact that humans can have on the environment. Explain
why this topic is important. Give two reasons, one from Source #1 and one from
Source #3, to support your explanation. For each reason, include the source
number or title.
Score Point
2
1
0
Description
Response is an adequate evidence-based explanation of why the impact that humans can
have on the environment is important supported by two examples, one from Source #1 and
one from Source #2. Student cites the source for each example.
Response is a limited/partial evidence-based explanation of why the impact that humans
can have on the environment is important supported by two vague or loosely related
examples, one from Source #1 and one from Source #2. Student cites the source for each
example.
OR
Response is an adequate evidence-based explanation of why the impact that humans can
have on the environment is important supported by two examples from one source. Student
cites the source for each example.
OR
Response is an adequate evidence-based explanation of why the impact that humans can
have on the environment is important supported by one example from one source. Student
cites the source for the example.
OR
Response is an adequate evidence-based explanation of why the impact that humans can
have on the environment is important supported by two examples, one from Source #1 and
one from Source #2. Student does not cite the source for each example.
Response is an explanation that is insufficient, incorrect or irrelevant.
Exemplar:
Source #1 and Source #3 provide me two different points of view when it comes to the ways that
humans are having an impact on the environment. According to Source #1, there are many things
people are doing that can negatively affect the land, air and water that we need in order to survive.
Source #1 tells me that people are using too many chemicals that are causing pollution, which can
then affect animals, vegetation, and people, making the environment unhealthy. It is important that
we learn that, according to the text, people misusing natural resources can harm animal habitats,
release chemicals into the air, and lead to a loss of clean water and air. Source #3 shows another
perspective. It tells me that there are ways that people are having a positive effect on the
environment. According to the text, we can help rebuild habitats, reduce erosion, and help clean our
air naturally just by planting our own plants and trees. This article gives me useful advice to take
action so that I can reduce my own impact on the environment. These sources are important so that I
know what we are doing that is harmful and also to give me suggestions on ways to reduce the
negative effects as well.
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Click on the boxes to match each source with the claim that it supports. Some claims may have more
than one source selected.
Claim
Land pollution, caused by
people, can have a
negative effect on the
carbon dioxide-oxygen
exchange.
Organic farming is one
way that people can limit
their impact on the
environment.
A large portion of our
freshwater supply is
unusable due to
contamination.
Source #1
X
X
Source #2
Source #3
X
X
X
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