Biome-in-a-Box Project

The student will investigate and understand dynamic equilibria within populations, communities, and ecosystems. Biome-in-a-Box Diorama: (50 points) You may chose from the following biomes: 1. Tundra 2. Taiga (Coniferous Forest) 3. Desert 4. Temperate Deciduous Forest 5. Tropical Rain Forest 6. Grassland The box for the project should be shoebox size or larger. The diorama should contain: o At least 3 animal species found in your chosen biome. o At least 3 plant species found in your chosen biome. o The biome should be realistically represented with geographical features such as mountains, streams, rivers, etc. o You may use clay, paint, papier-mch, small plastic trees or animals, or anything else that you can think of to portray your biome correctly. BE CREATIVE!! o A background on the back and sides of the box The background may be painted, drawn and colored, or made of a neat collage of pictures cut from magazines

Biome Letter: (50 Points) You have been chosen to join a scientific expedition to the biome you have chosen. While you are there you write a letter to your science teacher describing your biome. Your letter to me to your should include: An accurate description of your biome including what the seasons are like and how long they last. Descriptions of at least 3 plant and 3 animal species shown in your diorama o Descriptions should include adaptations to life in your biome. The average temperature. The average yearly rainfall. Approximate longitude and latitude of your biome. The type of soil that can be found in your biome. A description of what life is like in your biome.

Descriptions of unique conditions in your biome such as, permafrost, length of night and day, any other aspect of your biome that is interesting to you. Bibliography of sources using proper bibliography style. The paper must be typed and double-spaced.

Sources: You may use your textbook, class notes, encyclopedias, and the following Internet websites: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/ http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html http://www.fcasd.edu/schools/dms/Biome.htm Use only the websites listed. You can find all of the information that you need using them. ***Plagiarism is unacceptable!! Do not cut and paste information from the Internet directly into your paper. Put the information into your own words. I have read all of these websites and I will double-check them with your paper.*** ******************************************************** The Biome-in-a-Box diorama is worth a maximum of 50 points. The Biome Letter is worth a maximum of 50 points. Together a maximum of 100 points is available. Use the rubrics provided to help you with designing and writing your project. I will use the rubrics to grade your diorama and your letter. You must turn in your rubric with your project. Both the Biome-in-a-Box and the Biome Letter are:

Biome Letter Rubric Category

Amount of Information

NAME:_____________________ 8
Paper is at least 1.5 typed pages and all topics are addressed with at least 1 sentence about each. Most information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized.

10
Paper is at least 1.5 typed pages and all topics are addressed with at least 2 sentences about each. All information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized.

6
Paper is not 1.5 typed pages but all topics are addressed with 1 sentence about each. Most information is accurate to chosen biome. Organization is unclear. All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Successful to moderately successful at using suggested internet links to find information but was off task during the time allotted. A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.

5
Paper is not 1.5 typed pages and one or more topics were not addressed.

Quality of Information

All sources are accurately Sources: Bibliography documented in the desired format.

Internet Use

All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Successfully Moderately uses successful at suggested using internet links to suggested find internet links to information find and worked information well during and worked time allotted. well during time allotted. No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

Most information is inaccurate to chosen biome and organization is unclear. Some sources are not accurately documented.

Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or was disruptive to others during time allotted.

Mechanics

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Points earned:

_____

_____

______

______

Total points for Biome Letter: _______

Biome in a Box Diorama Rubric Category 10 8

Display box is Attractiveness very attractive and Creativity and creativity is evident. More than 3 Accuracy of animals are Animals accurately shown. More than 3 Accuracy of plants are Plants accurately shown. Background is Background very neatly depicted and present on all three sides. All Completeness components of assignment are present.

NAME:_________________ 6
Display box is somewhat attractive. One animal is inaccurately shown.

5
Display box is messy and unattractive.

Display box is very attractive. At least 3 animals are accurately shown. At least 3 plants are accurately shown. Background is neatly depicted and present on all three sides. Most (1 item missing) components of assignment are present.

More than one animal is inaccurately shown. One plant is More than inaccurately one plant is shown. inaccurately shown. Background is Background is present on all not present three sides. on all three sides. Some (2 to 3 items missing) components of assignment are present. ______ Few (more than 3 items missing) components of assignment are present. ______

Points earned:

_____

_____

Points from Diorama:_______ Points from Letter:________ FINAL GRADE: _________

Online Biome Project

Objective: Students will investigate and understand dynamic equilibrium within populations, communities, and ecosystems. WY SC11.1.5 and SC11.1.6 Projects: Online Model, Audio presentation, and Q & A with classmates. Voki Introduction: Click Here! Biome Online Model: (50 points) You may chose from the following biomes: 1. Tundra 2. Taiga (Coniferous Forest) 3. Desert 4. Temperate Deciduous Forest 5. Tropical Rain Forest 6. Grassland Requirements Use a teacher approved online tool, such as Spaaze, to develop your online model. See teacher with tool ideas other than Spaaze. The model should contain: o At least 3 animal species found in the biome. o At least 3 plant species found in the biome. o Biome climate description. Include soil, temperature, rainfall, and other unique weather or conditions. o The biome should be realistically represented with geographical features such as mountains, streams, rivers, etc. Consider dynamic equilibrium when adding to your model. o Include a bibliography with your resources. o Example: http://www.spaaze.com/board/35e8fc3545ac61a51dac772cd547b119 Biome Audio Presentation: (50 Points) You have been chosen to join a scientific expedition to the biome you have chosen. While you are there, you share your findings with your teacher and classmates as an audio presentation. Your audio file should describe your biome in depth. You may use Voki or another audio tool with teacher permission. Please include: An accurate description of your biome including what the seasons are like and how long they last. Descriptions of at least 3 plant and 3 animal species shown in your online model.

Descriptions should include adaptations (how are they able to survive here when others cant?) to life in your biome. Biome climate description. Include soil, temperature, rainfall, and other unique weather or conditions A description of what life is like in your biome. Descriptions of unique conditions in your biome such as, permafrost, length of night and day, any other aspect of your biome that is interesting to you. IMPORTANT: Lastly, explain why your biome is one of the 5 levels of ecology. Explain which levels of ecology are present in this biome and give examples of each. This is where you will show your understanding of dynamic equilibrium. ________________________________________________________________ Creating a Spaaze Account Go to: http://www.spaaze.com/home 1. Click Sign Up at the top right hand corner 2. Enter an appropriate username, password, and your school email address. Write these down so you do not forget them! I will add your information to a private Google document for you if necessary. 3. Enter the pass code to login and read the terms of service before approving them. 4. Click sign up 5. Next, Click Open Spaaze at top right corner. This is your corkboard. 6. Use the icons in the top left corner to add images, labels, text, and appropriate YouTube videos if you want. Limit videos to 3 minutes. 7. Be creative! 8. Send me a link to your final presentation using your school email.

Creating a Voki (Use Voki Classroom if you have an account already set up). Go to: http://www.voki.com/ 1. Click Create at the top of the screen. 2. Customize Your Character. Choose appropriately for school and this project. Remember you are in your selected Biome! 3. Give it a Voice a. This is where you will enter text or record audio for your presentation. Please write a script first then record your audio or text. 4. Select an appropriate background for your Biome. 5. Select an audio player of your choice.

When finished, Click Publish Choose a title for your Voki Click Sign Up if you do not have an account yet. Fill in the necessary information. Try to use the same information as you did for your Spaaze account. Accept the terms and click Sign Up. 10. Confirm your registration through your email. 11. Send me the link to your final Voki presentation.

6. 7. 8. 9.

** Both your model and audio presentation will be shared with your classmates. You are required to show both to the class and answer questions from your classmates.

Sources: You may use your textbook, class notes, encyclopedias, and the internet. Please remember to use reliable sources and to cite ALL resources you use.

Biome Model is worth 50 points Biome Audio Presentation is worth 50 Points Q & A 20 points Together a maximum of 120 points is available. Use the rubrics provided to guide your work. I will use the rubrics to grade your model and audio file. Please see me with any questions or technical assistance.

Biome Audio Rubric Category

Amount of Information

NAME:_____________________ 8-7
Audio file addresses all information but does not include extra details.

10-9
Audio file addresses all required information and adds interesting details not required. All information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized.

6-5
Audio file addresses most of the required information, but is missing some requirements. Most information is accurate to chosen biome. Organization is unclear. All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Successful to moderately successful at using suggested internet links to find information but was off task during the time allotted. A few grammatical errors when speaking and lack of flow and/or voice in presentation.

4-0
Audio file is minimal and does not adequately address all requirements.

Quality of Information

Most information is accurate to chosen biome and is clearly organized.

Sources: Bibliography

All sources are accurately documented in the desired format.

Internet Use

All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Successfully Moderately uses successful at suggested using internet links to suggested find internet links to information find and worked information well during and worked time allotted. well during time allotted. No grammatical errors when speaking, great flow and voice during entire presentation. Almost no grammatical errors when speaking. Good flow and voice.

Most information is inaccurate to chosen biome and organization is unclear. Some sources are not accurately documented.

Needs assistance or supervision to use suggested internet links and/or was disruptive to others during time allotted.

Mechanics

Many grammatical errors when speaking and lack of flow and voice throughout presentation.

Points earned:

_____

_____

______

______

Total points for Biome Audio Presentation: _______

Biome Online Model Rubric Category 10-9 8-7

Model is very attractive. Model is very Attractiveness attractive and and Creativity creativity is evident. More than 3 Accuracy of animals are Animals accurately shown. More than 3 Accuracy of plants are Plants accurately shown. Climate is Accuracy of accurately Climate described and provides plenty of detail and images. All Completeness components of assignment are present.

NAME:_________________ 6-5
Model is somewhat attractive. One animal is inaccurately shown. One plant is inaccurately shown. Some of the climate information is inaccurate.

4-0
Model is messy and unattractive. More than one animal is inaccurately shown. More than one plant is inaccurately shown. Climate information is not addressed in model.

At least 3 animals are accurately shown. At least 3 plants are accurately shown. Climate is accurate and sufficient information is provided.

Most (1 item missing) components of assignment are present.

Some (2 to 3 items missing) components of assignment are present. ______

Few (more than 3 items missing) components of assignment are present. ______

Points earned:

_____

_____

Points Online Model:______________ Points Audio Presentation:_________ FINAL GRADE: ____________/100__