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Biomes Now and When Current and Future |
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Research Scenario The National Science Federation is concerned about the environmental changes that are occurring on our planet. They are presently involved in a project to create current models for existing biomes to be used for making projections. The projections will be used to develop agricultural procedures to feed the increasing world population. You have been asked to research a biome and gather information for a current model that shows the interrelationships within the biosphere.
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Task and Product |
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Working alone or in small groups, you will investigate the components of one biome to determine the interactions and adaptations needed for survival. You will include information on:
You will submit either a PowerPoint, Prezi, Glog, video, poster, Publisher brochure, Wiki webpage, VoiceThread, or Podcast/Vodcast to provide information to the National Science Federation for their biome model project. Tutorials
Teacher note: To facilitate the collaborative nature of this project, consider creating a project-based wiki or using another collaborative Web 2.0 tool (VoiceThread, Prezi, Glog, etc.) to use as a workspace. For further help/suggestions, see your Library Media Specialist who will assist in setting up student accounts using the BCPS external passwords and for more suggestions and assistance visit the Office of Library Information Services Web 2.0 wiki.. |
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Assessments You will be graded on your research process as well as on your product using one or more of the following tools: |
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Questions Essential Question:
Subsidiary Questions:
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Gather and Sort Gather information about a biome from a variety of sources. Sort your country research findings using a graphic organizer or note cards. Cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
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Organize Revisit the assessments. Analyze your research notes to determine if you have answered the essential questions. How do abiotic and biotic factors interact within a biome? Synthesize your findings by writing a first draft of your presentation.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.
Create your final product.
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Present Products As you listen to the class presentations of topics, use the Biome Data Sheet to jot down key ideas and important details about how abiotic and biotic factors interact within a biome. Draw Conclusions A. Based on the map you constructed of earth's biomes and your notes from your classmates' presentations on biomes that you recorded on your Biome Data Sheets, describe the effect of latitude and altitude on a biome. B. Over the next 1,000 years, many changes will occur in the biomes of the earth. These changes will result from the interaction of many factors; however, global warming or global cooling may have the greatest impact. As your classmates present information on the biomes they researched, complete the Biomes Data Sheet. Based on the information that you gather from your classmates, and assuming that the temperature of the earth will either warm up or cool down by 5 degrees Celsius, predict changes that may occur in the various biomes over the next 1,000 years. Reflection and/or Extension Activities: Determine which world locations will provide the best farming in the year 2500 if the temperature changes 5-10 degrees Celsius. Write a short essay in which you state your selections and support those selections by providing details about the farming potential of those locations. Include data about the following environmental factors:
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