Elwha Research Summaries

A lot of very important research has been done on the Elwha River.

Part 1: Read Research Papers

Read one of the following Elwha Research papers.

• • Use as full class sample (students may choose to summarize):  Black Bear Diet

  • Marine Fish in the Strait of Juan de Fuca

  • Wildlife (amphibians and mammals) in the Riparian Zone

  • Trout and Salmon Movement

  • Seeds and Sediment

  • Sediment Migration and Diversity

  • Insects and Algae

Part 2: Write a Research Summary

On the Elwha Research Summary page write a 5-sentence paragraph about your paper. 

• • Include a topic sentence that states the central idea

  • Provide supporting details/textural evidence (3 separate sentences)

  • Include a concluding sentence

Use facts and evidence that come directly from the article (avoid writing opinions). 

Read the following sample 5-sentence paragraph summary for the Black Bear paper.

The article “Black Bears as Indicators for River Restoration” is about likely changes to the population and feeding location of black bears along the Elwha River due to the removal of the Elwha dams, but the exact details of these changes is yet to be seen.  According to the article, “…black bears…are one of the many animals in the Elwha that stand to benefit from salmon restoration,” and evidence in the article suggests that the location of berries and other edible food will attract bears closer to the river itself.  Scientists plan on studying the bears’ population and feeding locations by using a new technique called hair snagging.  Those who study bears will be able to tell a lot about the feeding habits of black bears by learning about their DNA material.  Many changes have occurred because of the dam removal, and because of it, bears stand a greater chance of population increase and number of viable feeding locations.

Before, during and after you write, refer to the Elwha Research Summary rubric.

(Optional way to run this: 1 or 2 tables next to each other will be assigned the same article - each student reads silently for ~10 min, then the group discuses the paper for ~5 min to ensure all students understand)

Part 3: Share What You Learned

Following these guidelines, present what you learned to the class (table groups present together, each student covering at least one of the guidelines below).

• 1. First, introduce your topic

  2. Read a sample summary paragraph (choose a strong one from your group)

  3. Show and explain a picture or graph from your paper

  4. Draw and show a diagram that illustrates your topic

1. Share the name and title of the researcer

   1. Last, say this. "Thank you, are there any questions?"