2. Increases student interest Deepens understanding of connections between subjects Deepens understanding of subject area Develops complex skills Improves: Technology skills Communication skills Collaboration skills Decreases absenteeism Creates lifelong learners

3. Students will see the tragic effects of oil spills on wildlife. In the activities provided students will observe how oil and water affect the feathers of birds. They will see methods used to rid both marine animals and the environment of pollutants and water contaminants after an oil spill. Finally, they will see how one individual and many volunteers can make a difference- not matter what their age.

4. Content Question What were the causes and effects oil spill disasters? What are possible solutions to the oil spill disaster? Unit Questions What is the impact of environmental disasters? How can what we learned impact responses to future man-made disasters? Essential Question Who cares?

5. Before The Project Begins Students Work On Projects And Complete Tasks After Project Work Is Completed To demonstrate prior knowledge and level of understanding students will: Complete Alphabox organizer Respond to discussion questions To increase understanding students will: Locate information through a variety of research tools Maintain a research journal Update Alphabox organizer Complete daily Alphabox Two-Word Strategy entry To determine student learning outcomes students will: Finalize update of Alphabox organizer Write a summary using Alphabox Two-Word Strategy entires Evaluate presentations using the rubric (self/teacher conference)