1. Video Selection Rubric
Name:
Morris, Dolly Walker
Title of Video:
Silent Invasion
Internet address:
http://video.pbs.org/video/1098841639
Subject Area Grade Level
Science – Ecosystems: Survival/Extinction 4th Grade
Brief Description:
This is an excellent video whose purpose is to identify silent “invasive” organisms/species
of weeds & insects that destroy previously established native ecosystems. These invasives
are identified as the “new litter”, once a horrible problem in the U.S. Primary examples are
given from preventive efforts in Oregon in the northwest U.S. However, the instances in
Oregon are traced across the ENTIRE United States for impact – and it is there! U.S. Customs
Agents are interviewed and they highlight how destructive species enter the United States
via air travel and U.S. ports. U.S. Forest & Parks biologists are interviewed. Cattle Ranchers
in the western U.S. are interviewed. “Bio” controls are explained. “Regular” people “doing
something” to help are showcased. Reverse global implications are also considered when
one U.S. biologist travels to China to work with biologists there to limit invasive species’
impact on both continents. The video is one hour long & would best be used in segments
with fourth graders; the teacher could easily accomplish this segmented approach because
of the video layout & with preview.
Georgia Performance Standard(s)*:
* Video Support Focus
Focus Standard(s):
S4L1 Students will describe the roles of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
a. Identify the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a community.
b. Demonstrate the flow of energy through a food web/food chain beginning with
sunlight and including producers, consumers, and decomposers.
c. Predict how changes in the environment would affect a community (ecosystem) of
organisms.
d. Predict effects on a population if some of the plants or animals in the community
are scarce or if there are too many.
S4L2 Students will identify factors that affect the survival or extinction of organisms such as
adaptation, variation of behaviors (hibernation) and external features (camouflage and
protection).
a. Identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce
better than other organisms that do not have these features. (e.g. camouflage, use
of hibernation, protection, etc.)
b. Identify factors that may have lead to the extinction of some organisms.
Rate your video on the next page:

2. Use the descriptors on page 330 of your textbook to help you evaluate your
video with the following rubric. Type an “X” in each row to indicate your evaluation
for each rating area.
Rating Area High Quality Medium Quality Low Quality
Alignment with
Standards X
Accurate & Current X
Information (4/21/09)
Age Appropriate
Language X
Interest Level &
Engagement X
Technical Quality X
Ease of Use
(student or teacher) X
Bias Free X
Pacing Appropriate X
Organization X
This rubric is adapted from the selection rubric on pages 329-330 of:
Smaldino, S. E., Lowther, D. L., & Russell, J. D. (2008). Instructional technology and media
for learning (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.