Current Event
Assignment
AP Biology – 2nd Semester
Purpose:
 In order to more successfully contribute
to community and society at large, one
should be current on the world’s issues,
updates, and changes. Being an
informed citizen and discussing current
events will give one a better perspective
on different points of view and encourage
a healthier lifestyle.
Article Guidelines:
Article must be current—within approximately one
month of due date.
Article must be relevant
Article must be from appropriate source—NOT
Wikipedia! (see suggestions below)
Article must be submitted on time.
Directions:
 You will read a current events article and turn
in a current events assignment.
 The news source can be digital or print.
 All current event assignments are due on dates
provided.
 If you have an “excused” absence on a due date, your
assignment is due the next class.
 You may only use the Current Events Assignment
Template given in class and you should also
familiarize yourself with the rubric before completing
the assignment.
Directions:
Current Event Assignment Template
Note: Begin by MARKING THE TEXT as you read! This should
include underlining main ideas, highlighting important
facts/details, circling unfamiliar vocabulary, writing notes
and/or connections in the margins, etc. Specific directions for
each section are given below.
Summary: Summarize the main idea of your article. This should be
easy if you have already underlined main ideas and
highlighted important facts.
Vocabulary: Circle at least three unfamiliar vocabulary words,
important places and/or people from your article as you read.
Define the vocabulary words and/or explain the importance of
the place(s) and people you indicated as important.
Reflection: Think about your own opinion or reaction to the topic
presented in the article. Do you agree or not? What is your
reaction, position, claim, argument?
Biology Connection: Explain how the article you chose relates to
your Biology Learning Community.
Presentation Rubric:
 The presentation portion of the assignment will be counted
towards the quarter’s participation points. The presenter will earn
an automatic 5 participation points if he/she does the following:
 Actually presents the article to the class
 Is prepared to present – it is obvious that he/she read the article
carefully, has reflected on it, and was relatively smooth in relaying the
important points to the class
 Was prepared to answer questions and was knowledgeable about
background information if applicable
 Was energetic and showed an interest in what was being presented
and talked about – this means that you didn’t just walk to the front of
class and get it done as quickly and boringly as possible. Try to
actually educate us as to why this is applicable, interesting and
important.
 NOTE: Failure to do all of these will result in points being
subtracted – there is no guarantee that you will earn all five just
because you stepped in front of the class. The better you do the
more points you will earn!