Assessment:

Attached is the rubric for the charts, as they do not conform to typical parameters of chart assignments. Each chart being worth 20% of the assignment. During the design of this webquest the informal writing assignment is only evaluated by a completion mark. A completion mark was chosen for this part of the assignment since it is meant to start the students thinking about the variety of medical issues that are connected to a single ailment or even symptom. A rubric for the position paper is attached,  however you may wish to modify it to place a higher importance on research skills, support of argument, or significance of issue. Since the position paper is the final task and builds on the work done in the previous sections sixty percent of the mark for the project as whole was allotted for the grading of it.

 

Modications:

This assignment can be modified depending on the level of scaffolding necessary for your class or certain students. In order to simplify the research aspect for the student each group could research one aspect of the controversy surrounding the cost of medical care and the reality of prevention over medical intervention. You could also pick conditions and introduce them in respiratory and circulatory units and have the students research them at that time to give the students more time to work during class.

 

Program of Studies:

Grade 8 Science

Unit B: Cells and Systems

 

3. Interpret the healthy function of human body systems, and illustrate ways the body reacts to internal and external stimuli

• describe, in general terms, body systems for respiration, circulation, digestion, excretion and sensory awareness (e.g., describe how blood is circulated throughout the body to carry oxygen and nutrients to the body’s various tissues and organs)

• describe ways in which various types of cells contribute to the healthy functioning of the human body (e.g., describe the roles of individual cells in nerves, muscle, blood, skin and bone)

• describe changes in body functions in response to changing conditions (e.g., changes in heart rate in response to exercise, change in metabolism in response to lower temperature, reflex responses to stimuli)

 

4. Describe areas of scientific investigation leading to new knowledge about body systems and to new medical applications

• identify examples of research into functions and dysfunctions of human cells, organs or body systems

• investigate and describe factors that affect the healthy function of the human respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems (e.g., investigate the effect of illness, aging or air quality on the function of the respiratory system)