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A WebQuest for 8th Grade ScienceDesigned by

Melissa RingMelissa.Ring@gmail.com

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

Journey Through the Biomes

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Greetings Explorers!

You will soon be setting out on a journey across the planet. You will travel from the north to south pole and across all continents reporting back on all the different types of biomes and wildlife you see.

Each Biome is a specific geographical region made up of plant and animals species adapted to their environment. They are all related and depend on each other for their own survival.

So pack your bags and equipment, let’s set out on this great journey through the biomes!

Introduction

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By the end of your journey you will create…

A PowerPoint presentation that will include:What a biome is.A description of the climate of your biomePictures of the plant and animal lifeThe distinguishing characteristics of your biomeThe geographical region where your biome is locatedThe special adaptations of the plants in the area

A pie chart or other graph that represents the percentage of the Earth that is covered with each biome

A letter to your local senator describing how small environmental changes impact biomes around the planet. You may want to include temperature changes, pollution, deforestation and other environmental changes.

Title The Task

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1.First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students2. Each team will be assigned one of the 9 biomes of our planet (Tundra, Taiga, Grassland, Deciduous Forest, Chaparral, Desert/Desert Scrub, Savanna, Rainforest and Alpine.)3. Once in your groups you will go to the computer lab and search the websites to answer the following questions:

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmhttp://www.worldbiomes.com/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

• What is a Biome? •What are the characteristics of your assigned biome?• What are the adaptations of the plants in the area?• What is the climate and geographical region of your biome?• What percentage of the Earth is covered with your biome?• How do environmental changes impact all biomes?

4. After answering these questions create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the rest of the class describing the biome your group was assigned. It should include:• The name of your biome• Geographical region of your biome• Climate of your biome• Adaptations of the vegetation in your biome• Plants and Animals of your Biome

5. Open up Microsoft Access and create a pie chart illustrating the percent of the Earth covered in your groups assigned biome

6. Using Microsoft Word write a letter informing your local Senator how changes in the environment affect your biome. You may want to include temperature changes, pollution, deforestation and other environmental changes.

The Process

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[Teacher Page]Evaluation

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

PowerPoint        

Content - Accuracy

All content throughout the presentation is

accurate.

There is one piece of information that might

be inaccurate.

O piece of information is clearly inaccurate.

Content is confusing or contains more than one

factual error.

Use of Graphics All graphics are attractive and support the

content of the presentation.

A few graphics are not attractive but all support

the content.

A few graphics do not seem to support

thevcontent.

Several graphics are unattractive AND detract

from the content

Cooperation Group shares responsibility effectively

all of the time.

Group shares responsibility effectively

most of the time.

Group shares responsibility effectively

some of the time.

Group often is not effective in sharing responsibility.

Effectiveness Project includes all material needed to gain a

comfortable understanding of the

topic.

Project includes most material but is lacking

one or two key elements.

Project is missing more than two key elements.

Project is lacking several key elements and has

inaccuracies.

Letter

Sentences & Paragraphs

Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of

varied structure.

Sentences are complete and well-constructed.

Paragraphing is generally done well.

Most sentences are complete and well-

constructed. Paragraphing needs some work.

Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR

paragraphing needs lots of work.

Ideas Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to

figure out what the letter was about.

Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organziation

could have been better.

Ideas were somewhat organized, but not very clear. It took more than

one reading to figure out what the letter was about.

The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very

difficult to figure out what the letter was about.

Content Accuracy The letter contains at least 4 accurate facts

about the topic.

The letter contains 3 accurate facts about the

topic.

The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the

topic.

The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic.

Graph

Graph Graph fits the data well Graph is adequate Graph distorts the data Graph makes interpretation impossible.

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This activity has begun the introduction to ecology. Not only have you learned about the different biomes around our planet and how they are connected but you have also figured out the impact of environmental changes.

Some of these changes are natural but some are caused by humans. You have informed the decision makers of this state of how different actions by humans affects the environment and the plants and animals that live in them.

After they are reviewed, the letters you have written will actually be sent to your local Senators, so be sure that they are free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Conclusion

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.

Website information:

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmhttp://www.worldbiomes.com/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

Picture Resources:

E. Benders-Hyde http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

The WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group

Credits & References

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Title

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Teacher Page

A WebQuest for 8th Grade Science

Designed by

Melissa RingMelissa.ring@gmail.com

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

Evaluation

Teacher Script

Conclusion

Journey Through the Biomes (Teacher)

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This lesson was developed to introduce the students to the Ecology Unit. The purpose is to familiarize the students about the different habitats/biomes around our planet and how they are interrelated. The students will be able to determine the impacts of environmental changes on our Earth (by way of the biomes).

The audience is intended to be an 8th grade science class but the lesson can be modified to higher grade levels.

The lesson is designed to incorporate science and English content areas. By writing a letter to their Senators the students will utilize their writing skills as well as take pride in their work knowing their product will be seen by an outside audience.Evaluation

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Introduction (Teacher)

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This lesson is intended for 8th grade science students during their Ecology Unit. It is an introductory lesson for the unit and will lead into climate changes, habitats and plant/animal species.

The students will need to know general information about geographical areas of the world as well as working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Because this is an introductory. Additional information they will need to know is terminology such as deciduous, climate, adaptation and other terms not covered previously.

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Learners (Teacher)

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Objectives: SWBAT

• Identify the 9 Biomes of our planet• Describe the characteristics and climate of each• Compare plant and animal species of the biomes• Create a presentation to illustrate concepts learned• Synthesize information in a letter

Science Standards Addressed

1.6-8.6 Communicate results of investigation in appropriate ways

3.6-8.8 Flow of energy and matter in an ecosystem

3.6-8.11 Changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individual organisms, populations and entire species

3.6-8.12 Changes or consistency in groups of organisms over geological time can be revealed through evidence

5.6-8.5 There are interrelationships among science, technology and human activity that affect the world

Evaluation

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Curriculum Standards (Teacher)

[Student Page]

Title

Introduction

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Teacher Page

1. First you'll be assigned to a team of 3 students2. Each team will be assigned one of the 9 biomes of our planet (Tundra, Taiga,

Grassland, Deciduous Forest, Chaparral, Desert/Desert Scrub, Savanna, Rainforest and Alpine.)

3. Once in your groups you will go to the computer lab and search the websites to answer the following questions:

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmhttp://www.worldbiomes.com/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

• What is a Biome? • What are the characteristics of your assigned biome?• What are the adaptations of the plants in the area?• What is the climate and geographical region of your biome?• What percentage of the Earth is covered with your biome?• How do environmental changes impact all biomes?

4. After answering these questions create a PowerPoint presentation to share with the rest of the class describing the biome your group was assigned. It should include:

• The name of your biome• Geographical region of your biome• Climate of your biome• Adaptations of the vegetation in your biome • Plants and Animals of your Biome

5. Open up Microsoft Access and create a pie chart illustrating the percent of the Earth covered in your groups assigned biome

6. Using Microsoft Word write a letter informing your local Senator how changes in the environment affect your biome. You may want to include temperature changes, pollution, deforestation and other environmental changes.

Evaluation

Teacher Script

Conclusion

The Process (Teacher)

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The following materials and resources are needed to implement this lesson.

•Computer lab with enough computers for all groups•Microsoft PowerPoint•Microsoft Word•Microsoft Excel•Name and address of your local Senator • Envelopes• Stamps

Website used:

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmhttp://www.worldbiomes.com/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

One teacher is enough to implement the lesson. Parents can be utilized to edit letters to the Senators prior to turning them in and mailing them to those individuals.

Student Aides may need to be involved to assist students with IEPs or 504 Plans that require assistance with writing and organization of materials.

Evaluation

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Resources (Teacher)

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Evaluation (Teacher)

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

PowerPoint        

Content - Accuracy

All content throughout the presentation is

accurate.

There is one piece of information that might

be inaccurate.

O piece of information is clearly inaccurate.

Content is confusing or contains more than one

factual error.

Use of Graphics All graphics are attractive and support the

content of the presentation.

A few graphics are not attractive but all support

the content.

A few graphics do not seem to support

thevcontent.

Several graphics are unattractive AND detract

from the content

Cooperation Group shares responsibility effectively

all of the time.

Group shares responsibility effectively

most of the time.

Group shares responsibility effectively

some of the time.

Group often is not effective in sharing responsibility.

Effectiveness Project includes all material needed to gain a

comfortable understanding of the

topic.

Project includes most material but is lacking

one or two key elements.

Project is missing more than two key elements.

Project is lacking several key elements and has

inaccuracies.

Letter

Sentences & Paragraphs

Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of

varied structure.

Sentences are complete and well-constructed.

Paragraphing is generally done well.

Most sentences are complete and well-

constructed. Paragraphing needs some work.

Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR

paragraphing needs lots of work.

Ideas Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to

figure out what the letter was about.

Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organziation

could have been better.

Ideas were somewhat organized, but not very clear. It took more than

one reading to figure out what the letter was about.

The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very

difficult to figure out what the letter was about.

Content Accuracy The letter contains at least 4 accurate facts

about the topic.

The letter contains 3 accurate facts about the

topic.

The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the

topic.

The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic.

Graph

Graph Graph fits the data well Graph is adequate Graph distorts the data Graph makes interpretation impossible.

[Student Page]

Title

Introduction

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Teacher Page

Prior to starting this lesson the teacher will need to go over terminology that may be unfamiliar to the students. An overview of the concepts will give the students the prior knowledge they will need to complete the tasks.

An important thing to remember during this lesson is to maintain good classroom management. Students may wander to other websites, it is important to monitor their progress.

A way to accomplish this is to give directions in the classroom prior to going down to the computer lab to decrease the distractions. Also providing handouts of the instructions will decrease some questions from the students.

Evaluation

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Conclusion

Teacher Script (Teacher)

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This lesson allows students to use inquiry based methods to answer questions. The Webquest assists the students in finding the right information and guides them to helpful resources as opposed to having them complete a blanket search of all information on the internet. It keeps the students focused on the purpose of the project as opposed to finding the information.

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Conclusion

Conclusion (Teacher)

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Title

Introduction

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The following materials and resources are needed to implement this lesson.

Computer lab with enough computers for all groupsMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelName and address of your local Senator Envelopes Stamps

Website used:

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htmhttp://www.worldbiomes.com/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php

This lesson created with The WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group

Evaluation

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Credits & References (Teacher)