Disappearing and Re-appearing Dirt--- TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS

Title: Disappearing and Re-appearing Dirt

Grade Focus: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Subject: Science

Integration Activity: PowerPoint Presentations, Digital Imagery, Discovering the Internet

Recommended Time to Complete: Two to three weeks (3 to 5 hours per week)

INTRODUCTION
Students will work with a partner to research various forms of erosion. They will analyze satellite images looking for erosion due to running water, wave action, wind, and weather.

Based upon this research, students will create three PowerPoint slides to visualize change over time.

PREREQUISITE EXPERIENCE:
Students should be able to conduct research online and use a word processor.Prior PowerPoint or other presentation software tool experience would be helpful. Experience with image editing software (i.e. Photoshop or Paint) and the ability to capture images from the computer will also be helpful.

TEACHER PREP TIME: 1 – 2 hours
Review the identified Web resources in Explore and these training videos from Nortel LearniT

  • Discovering the Internet,
  • Imaging,
  • PowerPoint,

PROJECT:
Students will usethe Internet to conduct research and presentation software, like PowerPoint, to create a multimedia presentation demonstrating their understanding of erosion. The use of digital images and imaging software will help students visualize change over time.

ASSESSMENT / GRADING:
Using a presentation rubric, the student PowerPoint projects will be evaluated on their subject knowledge, their analytical skills, and their ability to use the tools to convey their applied understanding.

TIME MANAGEMENT TIP:

Students should complete some research individually as a homework assignment.

This project is designed for teams of two.

Credit

Provided by the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE

If you were here, where would you be?

What’s happening in this photo?

Describe this landform.

How will this landform change in the next year? The next 5 years? The next 10 years?

Discuss your ideas with friends.

Find out more about this photo by visiting this Web site, <

The Earth is constantly changing. Satellite images help Earth scientists better understand the causes and effects of natural hazards. Wind and water erode the Earth’s surface. Some of these changes occur slowly; others are more violent and abrupt.

It's interesting to compare the Earth’s surface, then and now, to see change over time.

Working with a partner, you will learn more about erosion. Through the help of satellite imagery, you’ll compare plots of land, analyzing how this land has changed. You and your partner will make predictions about future changes.

Your analysis will be shared with others through the use of PowerPoint slides, digital imagery, and imaging software.

1. To complete this project you’ll need a computer with a presentation software program (PowerPoint is one example) and Internet access.

2. Before you begin your research, you may want to reviewseveral Nortel LearniT training videos:

  • Discovering the Internet,

3. Begin your project by reviewing any notes or the section on erosion in your science textbook. Create a chart to organize the information you’ll discover about erosion due to running water, wave action, wind, and weather.

4. More information about erosion can be learned by viewing the NASA SCIFiles™ program, The Case of the Disappearing Dirt. You can stream this video at:

5. Satellite images help us see Earth’s “big picture.” Visit the following sites to see the Earth from a different perspective.

Earth Observatory Image

Visible Earth

Erosion and sediment change

From the Dust Bowl to the Sahel

Topsoil erosion

Erosion by Ice and Water

Hurricane Katrina

Natural Hazards

Images of Earth

Landsat

Landsat Change Over Time

6. If you are unfamiliar with how to use a presentation software like PowerPoint, review the PowerPoint training videos from Nortel LearniT at:

1. Discuss what you have learned about erosion with the class. Create a class chart to organize information about the different types of erosion.

2. As you’ve learned, erosion is often a slow change to the Earth’s surface. Sometimes, more dramatic events speed up this process.

3. Look at the satellite photos below. Both photos are of the same location. Can you identify this location?

  1. These Landsat images show changes along the MississippiGulfCoast

from Biloxi, Mississippi to the edge of Mobile, Alabama. The event responsible for the drastic changes was Hurricane Katrina.

5. Can you tell which image was taken in 2004, before Hurricane Katrina hit the coast?

Photo credit: NASA/GSFC/Landsat

6. You and your partner are going to tell a story about erosion through images.

1. You and your partner are going to tell a story about erosion through images and by creating three PowerPoint slides.

2. One of the slides you create will be a “then” or earlier view. The second slide will be a “now” or later view. The third slide will show the predictions you and your partner have for the future of this area. To create the third slide, modify one of your earlier images using a drawing tool.

3. Before you begin creating your PowerPoint slides, you might want to

take a look at a Nortel LearniT video tutorial to get some good tips and

tricks on making a great presentation.

TIP: When you decide what images (pictures), sounds or text that you want to use in your PowerPoint slides, be sure to check for a copyright notice ©. Some Web sites want you to use their materials for educational projects while others don’t. A good practice for you should be to look for an email on the Web page you want to use materials from and use it to send a request for permission to use it in your class PowerPoint project.

To learn more about copyright (and copy wrongs!) be sure to watch the Nortel LearniT video tutorial at

It is also important that you identify materials that you use completely in your PowerPoint presentation. This is called “making a citation” of someone else’s work. The format that is typically used is as follows:

Last Name, First Name of Author (if known). “Title of work/article/page.” Title of Complete Document (if applicable). Date last modified. URL (date visited).

4. Your third slide will show your prediction of how the land will change in the future. Use a drawing tool to modify one of the previous images. Explain your reasons for the predicted changes.

5. The final step in your project is to for your team to share your PowerPoint slides with the entire class. Be sure to explain what caused the changes in the land from then, to now, and for the future.

PowerPoint Slide Evaluation Rubric

Criteria / Unsatisfactory / Needs Improvement / Satisfactory / Exemplary
Research / Limited research, from limited sources / Somewhat well research from somewhat varied sources. / Well researched, from various sources / Thorough research from varied sources presenting different points of view
Storyboard / planning / Limited planning evident / Some planning evident / Planning evident / Thorough planning evident
Content / Lacks detail / Some detail / Good detail / Excellent detail
Technology Use to Demonstrate Understanding / Technology use with little purpose / Technology use with some purpose / Technology use with purpose / Intuitive technology use with specific purpose
Overall Final Project / Inconsistent and inappropriate aesthetics and technical functionality / Somewhat consistent and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality / Consistent and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality / Consistent, creative and appropriate aesthetics and technical functionality

Partner evaluation: What did each of you contribute to the task? How did you share the work?

Self Evaluation: What did you learn? What do you know about erosion that you did not already know?

Consider some of these ideas for extensions:

1. Complete the activity, “Blowing in the Wind,” to demonstrate wind erosion. You can find directions for this activity at 61. Document what you observe using digital imagery. Display the photos and challenge classmates to order the photos to show “change over time.”

2. Create a digital portfolio of an area near your school or home. Once a month, take a photo of this area from exactly the same position. Describe the changes you observe over a six-month period.

3. Share your work with parents, families, and other students.