Digging for the Truth: Exploring Blackfish

Introduction

Blackfish is a movie that explores the ugly side of Orcas in captivity. It focuses on several issues such as abuse, (emotional and physical), aggression (towards each other and humans), and corporate coverup.

But the question is... Is it all truth, some truth, a little truth, or blatant fabrications?

It is your job to find out. Each piece of information you find will lead you to more questions. Then, you'll have to research further.



Task

THIS JUST IN.... NEW ARTICLES JUST CAME OUT FRIDAY....

1. SAYS SEA WORLD SHOULD JUST KEEP QUIET.... http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/seaworld-s-bizarre-pr-draws-more-attention-to--blackfish-165234202.html

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2. Here's another one from Friday!  Vocab help in black...

SeaWorld has filed a complaint alleging (claiming) that an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigator who investigated a SeaWorld trainer’s death engaged in unethical conduct(dishonest, unprofessional) by fraternizing (making friends, hanging out) with makers of a documentary critical of the park.

 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/seaworld-files-complaint-against-ohsa-investigator

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Visit the websites and fill out the accompanying information sheets.

 #1- Watch this former Seaworld trainer's feelings about Blackfish.

Kyle Kittleson interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX4GRC6L07w#aid=P-Ciq7f13Ts

 #2- Read the following open letter from Sea World and answer the question on the information sheet.

#3- Stay on the Sea World letter page from #2 and click on Truth About Blackfish. See information sheet for task.

 #4- Okay. Now you know the truth...well, maybe not... read this. Remember there's a lot of bias in some of these letters.

http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/     A response to the open letter from Sea World....it keeps goin'!

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Below are some other sites that you may use to learn more. PLEASE BEWARE: Some may be very biased!! Check them out and post your thoughts on Collaborize about the things you learned.

 

The next two are definitely biased websites. Think about whether you can really trust what they say.

CRITICISM OF THE MOVIE

Here are some links to articles and videos!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/blackfish-documentary_n_3644549.html

A short 3 minute video with some other perspectives:   http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/22/the-blackfish-controversy/?hpt=ac_mid

Different views: Are they equally objective? Did you leave with the feeling that they were leaning towards one side.

Sea World's Response:  http://seaworldparks.com/corporatesites/truth/home/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=PaidSearch&utm_term=text&utm_campaign=SW14Blackfish

Process

Here are some basic facts about orcas. A bit less challenging than some of the other articles.

 

Go to the following link from National Geographic and fill out the information sheet. Make sure you post your findings on line.

 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/orca/

Evaluation

Specialized Research

Use at least three sources to find information about one of the following topics. You can research anything you want as long as it is related to this topic and finding the truth. Please, please, please, let us know what you find on Collaborize.

 

Floppy dorsal fin

Life expectancy of killer whales

Killer whale myths

Being a whale vet

How many human attacks in wild vs. in captivity

Killer Whale hunting

PETA

Training a killer whale

Killer whale language? Do they have one?

Killer whale families and communities

 

Conclusion

Final Paper!!!

Open a Word document and write a well-organized paper about your experience over the last few days.

I have organized this into sections instead of paragraphs because some sections may be broken up into smaller parts.

Please write the paper in 12 font.

 

Section one: Introduction to topic and background

Focus on your overall reaction to the movie and your feelings, both before viewing and after viewing, about Sea World and marine animal shows.

Please remember the reader doesn't know anything, so you have to tell them everything.

 

Section two: Your research- just the facts

 

Describe your research and how you slowly learned about the different perspectives of the issue. Include specific details from the movie and the corresponding facts you found, whether they supported the movie or refuted (went against) it. Share your surprises and a-ha moments.

(You may split this paragraph into more paragraphs, each focusing on a different part of your research).

 

Section Three: Your opinion

This section is dedicated to your opinion on the issue. Do you still agree with Blackfish? Do you agree with Sea World?  A little of both?

 

Conclusion:

Talk about what you learned in this activity. Not just whale facts (although I know you learned a lot), but what did you learn about arguments, truth, fact, lies (fabrications), etc.

In other words, if you were "tricked" by the movie, what do you know now that you will keep in mind the next time you see a biased documentary.

 

 

When your essay is done, put it in the "I" drive on the computer in the folder labeled "BLACKFISH" plus your period number.

 







Credits

Here is the criteria for your final write-up:

 

Musts:

  • Paper must be written in paragraphs or it will not be accepted.
  • Paper must be writting using 12 font or it will not be accepted.
  • Paper must be at least 400 words.
  • Paper must be added to the "Blackfish" folder on the "I" drive.
  • Paper must follow spelling, capitalization, and grammar rules.
  • Paper must follow the organizational pattern presented on the "conclusion" tab.

 

Maybes:

  • Have a peer proofread it for mistakes and clarity (important)
  • Print it out and create a nice coverpage with a plastic cover

 

Extras:

  • Add pictures for extra credit- Only AFTER you have written the paper.

 

 







Teacher Page

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences. Type your answers on a word document.

How did you feel about sea mammals in theme parks before you watched Blackfish? What was your first reaction to the movie Blackfish?

What two things in the movie did you find out were not true?

After doing the research, do you feel differently or the same about Blackfish?

Describe what you learned from doing this activity?