Summative Assessment: Council of Animals Presentation

NGSS Performance Expectation(s): Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

HS-LS2-6: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in
ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions,
but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

For this assessment, you will be assigned an animal and the ecosystem in which the animal lives.
First, you will design a mask for your animal. Next, you will wear that mask and give a 4 to 5-
minute presentation to the Council of Animals (your classmates) that tells them about who you
are (the animal), where you live (the ecosystem), and why you and your home are important.

Part 1: You will be provided with construction paper, colored pencils/markers, and string to
design a mask for your animal. Feel free to get creative with your designs!

Part 2: Become your animal! Put on your mask and give a 4 to 5-minute presentation to the
Council of Animals that addresses the questions below. To make sure you address each of the
questions during your presentation, use a script that outlines all of your responses. You will turn
in your mask and script at the end of your presentation. P.S. Animal noises are encouraged!

Questions to address in your presentation:

1. What animal are you?

2. Where are you found?
a. What part of the world?
b. What ecosystem?
c. Where do you live within your ecosystem (i.e. trees, caves, rivers, etc.)?
3. What are the defining characteristics of your ecosystem (i.e. weather, topography, animal
and plant life)?
4. Are there currently any threats to your ecosystem (i.e. climate change, pollution,
poaching, habitat destruction, invasive species)?
5. What is your role in the ecosystem? In other words, why is your animal important?
When answering this question, consider the following:
Are you a consumer or producer? Do you provide food (energy) for other animals, or are
you a top predator? Do you help control the populations of other animals in the
ecosystem? Are you efficient at pollination and/or seed dispersal? What would happen
to your ecosystem if you werent there?
6. Are there currently any threats to your animal (i.e. climate change, pollution, poaching,
habitat destruction, invasive species)?
7. Finally, is there anything that humans can do to help you (the animal) and where you live
(the ecosystem)?
 Council of Animals Presentation Rubric

Larvae (3 pts) Metamorph (4 pts) Adult (5 pts)

Information on your Some of the required All of the required All of the required
animal and ecosystem questions were left questions were questions were
unanswered and/or answered, but some answered accurately
needed more details. of the answers could and thoroughly.
use more details.
Organization Main ideas need Your main ideas are Your main ideas and
more clarity, and clear, but could be overall presentation
should be grouped so organized in a way were clear, organized
that your presentation that makes it easier logically, and easy to
is easy for the for the audience to follow.
audience to follow. follow your
presentation.
Understanding of Review the You have a basic You have a clear
Key Concepts presentation understanding of understanding of
questions and the unit ecosystems, ecosystems,
topics discussed in population dynamics, population dynamics,
class. It was not and energy flow. and energy flow.
evident that you have However, you could You also do a great
an adequate show more evidence job of showing how
understanding of of how these these concepts are
ecosystems, individual concepts connected.
population dynamics, are connected. Outstanding work!
and energy flow.
Timing Presentation length is Presentation length is Presentation length is
between 0 and 2 between 2 and 4 between 4 and 5
minutes. minutes. minutes.
Overall Presentation Your animal friends You did a good job of It was fun watching
need to know why answering all the your presentation.
you and your home questions, but keep in The Council of
are so important. mind that not all the Animals now
Review the animals know who understands why you
presentation are you, and may and your home are so
questions to make need some more important to the
sure everything was details about you and planet. You really
answered in detail. your home. Try to be embodied the spirit of
Your mask does not persuasive and your animal!
need to be a work of enthusiastic!
art, but make sure all
of us know who you
are.