Text #1: Cape Cod Mystery: A Surge of Stranded Turtles, NY Times, James Gorman http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/13/science/a-cape-cod-mystery-hundreds-of-sea-turtles-stranded-on-beaches.html?_r=0
Rationale for Text: Students assume that science can explain everything, that direct causality is easy to assign, or that all is known about the habits of organisms, such as the sea turtle. This reading presents facts and suggests explanations, but also demonstrates the complexity of the issue in the stranding of so many sea turtles last year, known locally as Kempocalypse.
3-RoundsRead with Teacher Support
Round 1:
Read for the big idea silently. Underline and annotate things that, for whatever reason, stand out to you.
Turn and Talk: What is the “Mystery” referred to in the title?
Round 2:
Find quotes in the text that are "dramatic". There are 2 categories: quotes from scienctists/volunteers, and author's craft (drop mic moments- places where the author uses dramatic language to convey the point).
Round 3:
Share the quotes that we have found. Discuss what scientists might have to know to understand the problem of turtle strandings more specifically.
Text-Dependent Questions:
How did the residents of Cape Cod respond to the turtle strandings? What evidence does the article provide that supports your idea?
Are sea turtle strandings normal or not? What evidence does the article provide that supports your idea?
What hypotheses do scientists have about why the extra strandings occurred and why is it difficult to attach causality?
Based on the text, what might scientists need more information about in order to understand more clearly the high number of turtle strandings last year?
Assessment/Extensions: Students could complete a concept map that has room for “Turtle facts”, “Stranding facts”, and “Hypotheses”. Under “Hypotheses” students will write the possible hypotheses listed in the article as well as reasons why thy may not be correct. Also, students will make a list of at least 5 questions they have about turtles, turtle strandings, or ocean currents/ climate issues as mentioned in the article to measure understanding of what information is still needed.
Texts that could be used in addition to this one to support learning:
Frigid Waters, Frozen Turtles http://www.noaa.gov/features/04_resources/seaturtles.html
http://aqua.org/~/media/BlogImport/posterjpg.jpg
http://necwanews.blogspot.com/2014/12/sea-turtle-strandings-on-cape-code.html
http://www.unc.edu/depts/oceanweb/turtles/
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98240