Project+Overview

Trimester 2: February 22nd – March 18th
//Do you think the Three Gorges Project will have a positive or negative impact on China?//

Step One:
(Building Background Knowledge)
 * Complete Background Reading on Yangtze River
 * Watch and participate in Craig Tafel Three Gorges Presentation – February 22nd – PAC 1:00
 * Watch and take notes on Three Gorges Dam DVD

Step Two:
Students are assigned to a group with a specific perspective to develop an answer to the question using evidence to support their opinion. (Approx. 5 students per group)
 * Chinese Citizens** – As you collect facts on the Three Gorges Dam, think about how the dam will effect the lives of ordinary Chinese Citizens.
 * Dam Engineers** – As you collect facts on the Three Gorges Dam, think about the reasons why the dam was designed and built. What were the goals of the engineers of the dam?
 * Environmentalists** – As you collect facts on the Three Gorges Dam, think about how the dam will impact the environment (animals, plants, soil, water).
 * Chinese Government Official**s – As you collect facts on the Three Gorges Dam, think about how the dam will impact the country of China. What kinds of jobs will it add? How will help add power resources to the people of China? How will the international community view China?

Step Three:
Work with you group to complete the research rotations. Your goal during these rotations is to develop a group answer to the question and support it with researched evidence.
 * Station 1** – Guided (Reciprocal Reading) – (Reread Yangtze/Three Gorges Materials looking for info to support your new perspective.) – Completing Wiki Pro/Con Sheet
 * Station 2** – Do Internet Research - [|http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~lpohara/index.html] - Students with same perspective – Completing Wiki Pro/Con Sheet
 * Station 3** – Watch and take notes on other video – Completing Wiki Pro/Con Sheet
 * Station 4** – Go to computer lab with Mrs. Sheehan to create a PowerPoint – Using Wiki Pro/Con Sheet

At the end of each rotation group members help the team leader and team negotiator complete the Daily Progress Report and Group Skills Evaluation Sheet.

Present PowerPoint to assigned Grade 3 classes on March 19th These students are then given an opportunity to develop an opinion about the topic. Grade 4 students help discussion groups by acting as “experts” that answer questions and provide supporting facts.
 * Final Project**: Students complete a PowerPoint that shares and supports their opinion.