Snail Race Planning: An Informative Writing Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a race that a snail might win, using data and persuasive writing to make it fair and engaging?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What makes a race fair?
- How can data influence our understanding of a snail's capabilities?
- How do writers use evidence to support their claims about a topic?
- What are the key components of informational writing, and how do they contribute to clarity?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to design a fair race for snails, considering their capabilities and limitations.
- Students will be able to collect and interpret data related to snails' movement and behavior.
- Students will be able to write informative texts explaining the rationale behind their race design and persuading others of its fairness.
- Students will be able to evaluate arguments and claims made about snails' abilities and race design.
- Students will be able to use evidence to support claims in their writing.
- Students will demonstrate clear organization in their informative writing texts.
- Students will be able to understand what makes a race fair.
- Students will be able to understand how data can influence our understanding of a snail's capabilities.
- Students will be able to understand how writers use evidence to support their claims about a topic.
- Students will be able to identify the key components of informational writing, and how they contribute to clarity
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsExtreme Snail Racing
Begin with a video clip of a ridiculously over-the-top snail race, complete with dramatic commentary and slow-motion replays. After watching, students discuss what makes a race exciting and engaging, even at a snail's pace, leading into the design aspect of the project.Unusual Race Scenarios
Present students with a series of unusual race scenarios (e.g., snails racing on different surfaces, through obstacles, or against time). Students debate the fairness and feasibility of each scenario. This encourages critical thinking and introduces the complexities of race design.Snail Doping Scandal
A local news outlet reports on a controversy surrounding a snail race where some participants are suspected of "snail doping" (using unfair advantages). Students analyze the news report, research the ethics of racing, and discuss how to ensure fair play in their own snail race design.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Snail Spec Sheet: Researching the Competitors
Students begin by researching different species of snails and their movement capabilities. They will record their findings in a structured research journal, noting the source of their information.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed research journal with information on various snail species, their movement abilities, and source citations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RI.6.8 (evaluating claims) and W.6.2 (informative writing with clear organization).Course Constructor: Designing the Ultimate Snail Race
Based on their research, students will design a racecourse, considering the snails' abilities and limitations. They will create a scale model of their racecourse using everyday materials and write a proposal justifying their design choices.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA scale model of the racecourse and a written proposal explaining the design choices, referencing research data to support their claims.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RI.6.8 (tracing arguments) and W.6.2 (conveying information through analysis).Trial Run Tweak: Testing and Refining the Racecourse
Students will conduct trial runs of their racecourse using toy snails or simulations. They will collect data on snail performance, analyze the results, and make adjustments to their racecourse design based on their findings.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised racecourse design based on collected data and a detailed report analyzing the results of the trial runs.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RI.6.8 (evaluating evidence) and W.6.2 (organizing and analyzing content).Pitch Perfect: Presenting the Fair Race Design
Students will create a persuasive presentation to convince the class that their racecourse is the fairest and most engaging. They will use data from their research and trial runs to support their claims, incorporating visuals and clear explanations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA persuasive presentation arguing for the fairness and engagement of their racecourse design, supported by data and visuals.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with RI.6.8 (distinguishing supported claims) and W.6.2 (informative writing).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioSnail Race Design Rubric
Research & Documentation
Focuses on the quality and depth of student research into snail characteristics and proper citation practices.Research Quality
Accuracy and depth of research on snail species, including relevant data on their movement, terrain preferences, and physical limitations.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates comprehensive and accurate research on multiple snail species, providing detailed data on their movement, terrain preferences, and physical limitations. Data is synthesized effectively and demonstrates deep understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough and mostly accurate research on several snail species, providing relevant data on their movement, terrain preferences, and physical limitations. Data is well-organized and shows clear understanding.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic research on a few snail species, providing some data on their movement, terrain preferences, or physical limitations. Some inaccuracies may be present. Understanding is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal or inaccurate research on snail species, providing little to no relevant data. Shows limited understanding of snail characteristics.
Citation Accuracy
Proper use of citations to give credit to sources and avoid plagiarism.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll sources are accurately and consistently cited using a recognized citation style. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of academic honesty.
Proficient
3 PointsMost sources are accurately cited using a recognized citation style. Demonstrates a clear understanding of academic honesty.
Developing
2 PointsSome sources are cited, but there are inconsistencies or errors in the citation style. Demonstrates a basic understanding of academic honesty.
Beginning
1 PointsFew or no sources are cited. Shows limited understanding of academic honesty.
Design & Justification
Evaluates the design of the racecourse and the effectiveness of the written proposal in justifying design choices.Racecourse Design
Consideration of snail abilities/limitations and creation of a racecourse that is both fair and engaging for snails.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated consideration of snail abilities/limitations, resulting in an innovatively designed racecourse that is exceptionally fair and engaging. Design is thoroughly justified and reflects deep understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough consideration of snail abilities/limitations, resulting in a well-designed racecourse that is fair and engaging. Design is clearly justified and reflects clear understanding.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic consideration of snail abilities/limitations, resulting in a racecourse that attempts to be fair and engaging. Justification is present but may be incomplete or superficial. Understanding is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal consideration of snail abilities/limitations, resulting in a racecourse that is not particularly fair or engaging. Justification is lacking or shows limited understanding.
Proposal Quality
Quality and clarity of the written proposal justifying the design choices, with specific references to research data.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe written proposal is exceptionally clear, concise, and persuasive, providing compelling justification for all design choices. Research data is integrated seamlessly and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of its implications.
Proficient
3 PointsThe written proposal is clear, concise, and persuasive, providing strong justification for the design choices. Research data is integrated effectively and supports the claims made.
Developing
2 PointsThe written proposal is generally understandable, but may lack clarity or persuasiveness in places. Justification for design choices is present but may be incomplete. Research data is included but may not be fully integrated.
Beginning
1 PointsThe written proposal is unclear, disorganized, and lacks persuasive justification for the design choices. Research data is missing or poorly presented. Shows limited understanding of the data's relevance.
Testing & Refinement
Assesses the effectiveness of the trial runs and the quality of the report summarizing the findings and revisions.Data-Driven Revision
Collection, analysis, and use of data from trial runs to inform revisions to the racecourse design.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated data collection and analysis techniques, resulting in insightful revisions to the racecourse design. The process is thoroughly documented and reflects a deep understanding of experimental design.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates effective data collection and analysis, resulting in meaningful revisions to the racecourse design. The process is well-documented and reflects a clear understanding of experimental design.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates basic data collection and analysis, leading to some revisions to the racecourse design. Documentation is present but may be incomplete. Understanding of experimental design is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates minimal data collection and analysis, resulting in few or no revisions to the racecourse design. Documentation is lacking or shows limited understanding of the data's relevance.
Report Quality
Clarity and completeness of the report summarizing the trial runs, data analysis, and design revisions.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe report is exceptionally clear, concise, and comprehensive, providing a thorough and insightful summary of the trial runs, data analysis, and design revisions. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the iterative design process.
Proficient
3 PointsThe report is clear, concise, and complete, providing a thorough summary of the trial runs, data analysis, and design revisions. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the iterative design process.
Developing
2 PointsThe report is generally understandable, but may lack clarity or completeness in places. Some aspects of the trial runs, data analysis, or design revisions may be missing or superficial. Understanding of the iterative design process is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsThe report is unclear, disorganized, and incomplete, providing little to no useful information about the trial runs, data analysis, or design revisions. Shows limited understanding of the iterative design process.
Presentation & Communication
Evaluates the effectiveness of the final presentation, including persuasiveness and the use of supporting data and visuals.Persuasiveness
Effectiveness of the presentation in persuasively arguing for the merits of the racecourse design.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation is exceptionally persuasive, engaging, and memorable, convincingly arguing for the merits of the racecourse design. Demonstrates sophisticated communication skills and a deep understanding of persuasive techniques.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation is persuasive and engaging, effectively arguing for the merits of the racecourse design. Demonstrates clear communication skills and a good understanding of persuasive techniques.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation attempts to be persuasive, but may lack clarity or engagement in places. Communication skills are developing, and understanding of persuasive techniques is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation is unpersuasive and disengaging, failing to effectively argue for the merits of the racecourse design. Communication skills are limited, and understanding of persuasive techniques is minimal.
Data & Visual Integration
Appropriate and effective use of data and visuals to support claims about the racecourse design.
Exemplary
4 PointsData and visuals are used exceptionally effectively and creatively to support all claims about the racecourse design. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of data representation and visual communication.
Proficient
3 PointsData and visuals are used appropriately and effectively to support claims about the racecourse design. Demonstrates a clear understanding of data representation and visual communication.
Developing
2 PointsData and visuals are used, but their effectiveness in supporting claims may be limited. Understanding of data representation and visual communication is emerging.
Beginning
1 PointsData and visuals are missing or used ineffectively, failing to support claims about the racecourse design. Shows limited understanding of data representation and visual communication.