1. Current Event Assignment AP Biology – 2 nd Semester

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Presentation Rubric: T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: AActually presents the article to the class I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 WWas prepared to answer questions and was knowledgeable about background information if applicable W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. N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!