Course: Biome Project

Topic outline

General

Too Far From Home

unless otherwise noted, clipart and photos from wpclipart.com (public domain)
- Download a copy of this course. File 4.4MB Moodle backup
- News forum
- This lesson is a course written by Paula Clough. The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License . That means that you can use it, improve it and share it.
  
  Graphics and Photos are Public Domain.
- This course uses constructivist types of activities for students to learn about Biomes. There is group work and research encouraging students to apply, analyze, evaluate and synthesize what they are learning. Though there is not a test/quiz in the course, one can be added easily.
  
  Read the Unit plan to get more information on this unit and the 3 activities that are used to help students construct their learning.
  
  The Wiki page arrangement and sample page don't come through the back up process intact. You will need to set up the pages and copy and paste the Sample Page from this course into your set up course.
- A friend of mine who used my course chose to do a Database instead of the Wiki and a digital movie instead of the culminating PowerPoint. The nice thing is that she hid the other assignments and resources and was able to keep them there in the course in case she decides to use them another year. Moodle is so flexible for sharing.
  
  I hope you enjoy the course!
  
  Paula Clough
- Unit Plan File
- Unit plan and weblinks information files can be hidden from students, login as teacher to see. Delete this label when you use the course with students.
- Unit Plan File
- Weblinks -- info for teacher File
Topic 1
- Unit Objectives:
  
  Students will identify the characteristics of a biome and teach the other members of their group.
  
  Students will create a wiki page for the biome they studied to use in teaching the other members of their group.
  
  Students will demonstrate their knowledge of biomes in their travel brochure on the Biome World Tour.
  
  Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the affect of biome characteristics by presenting a group project describing the adaptations needed for a specific animal to survive in a specific biome.
- Unit Overview Presentation File
- Overview Presentation .pdf File
- Biome Glossary
- Post on the Biome Glossary link above to post biome unit vocabulary.
- Weblinks to start with:
- MBG Net Biomes of the World URL
- Cyber Zoo Link--- Lists of animals and their biomes. URL
- Blue Planet Biomes URL
- Biome Basics Web Quest Page URL
- Biomes by University of California Museum of Palenotology URL
Topic 2
Project 1

Become a Biome Expert
- Your group will become the experts on your assigned biome.
- You will do research and build a wiki page for the class website together.
- Steps:
  
  Gather your information on the characteristics of your assigned biome.
  
  Keep track of which web sites you use.
  
  As a group pick 3 animals that live in that biome to research. Be sure to look for adaptations that help them to survive.
  
  Use the template to plan a wiki page you can use to teach your home group about your assigned biome.
  
  During your assigned time, help transfer information, pictures, etc. to the wiki page for your biome.
  
  Make sure everyone understands the information well enough to teach it. (Remember teach not tell)
- Biome Expert Research Project Handout Folder
- Biome Expert Wiki
- Check out the rubric for this project to make sure you get all the points you deserve. Choose either Excel or rtf format.
- Wiki Research Project Rubric Folder
Topic 3

Project 2

Biome World Tour Brochure
- World Tour Brochure Sample File
- Brochure Planning Document Link
  
  Students can use the link below for a form to to help your group plan this brochure.
- Brochure Planning Document File
- Assignment Upload
  
  Use the link below to upload your group assignments while in progress as well as you final product. You may upload as many as three files here while your work is in progress.
- Biome World Tour Brochure Assignment Upload
- World Tour Brochure Project Checklist Folder
Topic 4
Project 3:
- An alien collector not authorized for the collection of Earth animals has been collecting from all Earth biomes.
- When he saw the Intergalactic Life Form Protection Officers approaching, he dumped his cargo.
- All animals landed safely but not in the correct biome.
- An army of volunteers activated to help the animals survive in the new biome until they can be returned to their home biome.
- Student Sample PowerPoint Presentation File
- Student Sample PowerPoint Presentaiton .pdf File
- Presentation Planning Documents
  
  You may use either of these to help plan your group presentation.
- Check out the rubric to make sure you get the best grade you can.
- PowerPoint Rubric File
- Presentation Assignment Upload

Topic outline

General

Topic 1

Topic 2

Topic 3

Topic 4