Selling
a Biome
Content
Area: Science, Biology
Grade
Level(s): 10th
Timeline: 4 hours/class periods
Learning
Goals:
·
Students will be familiar with and
be able to discuss the similarities and differences of biomes around the world
·
Students will select a biome for
their project. Then they will create a Prezi presentation and brochure that is
meant to persuade people to buy land in their particular biome.
·
Students will create a make believe
business that is selling the land
·
Students will present the biome to
the class and post their presentations to the DHS website so that they could be
voted on by other staff members
New
Mexico Standards
11.11.1.3 Understand and describe
how available resources limit the amount of life an ecosystem can support (e.g.
energy, water, oxygen, nutrients)
21st Century Skills
and Themes
•Creativity and Innovation
•Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,
and Decision Making
•Communication and Collaboration
•Research and Information Fluency/Literacy
•Digital Citizenship/Media Literacy
•Technology Operations/ICT Literacy
•Flexibility and Adaptability
•Initiative and Self-Direction
•Productivity and Accountability
Overview
of Project
Sketch
Students will work in pairs they
pick themselves.
They will randomly select their
biome by throwing a ball at a pyramid of brown paper sacks. Each sack as a
biome in it and whichever bag is knocked over first is the biome the students
will work with.
The students will be taken down to
the computer lab for three days where one person will work on the Prezi and the
other will complete the brochure using Publisher
On the day of presentations (the
fourth day) students will present in front of the class and pass out their
brochure
All projects will be uploaded to the
school website and voted on by outsiders.
Assessment
The attached rubric will be used to
assess the student’s projects. It is a
powerpoint template that the students were given as a guideline for the Prezi
presentation. Students will also be graded on creativity, organization, time
spent in the lab, and demonstration of knowledge.
Resources/Tools
Prezi.com
Microsoft office publisher
Preparation
·
TW:
o
Prepare the paper bags for biome
selection
o
Create the rubric and powerpoint
slide template for student use
o
Allow students to pick their
partners
o
Schedule time in the computer lab
o
Prepare a handout/rubric for the
brochures
Management
·
TW:
o
Manage by having a checklist for
deadlines (by the end of day 1, students should have a minimum of 3 slides
done)
o
Monitor room during use of
technology to keep students on track
Instruction
·
SW:
o
Read before the project is started,
what abiotic factors cause the differences in biomes
o
Select their partners and then
answer questions about the abiotic factors
o
Be given three days in the computer
lab to finish assignment
o
Present their projects to the class,
along with the brochure
o
Upload project to school website for
outside critiques and votes on the best biome project
·
Use internet to research biomes
·
Create a Prezi presentation
·
Use Microsoft Publisher to create a
brochure
·
Present information to the class
·
Upload presentations to school
website
Differentiation
This project allows students to
really use their creativity. There are
different parts to the project such as: research and note taking, computer use
and knowledge, communication skills and organizational aspects that will allow
any kind of student to exceed at some part of the project.
Closure
and Reflection
All student groups will present
their Prezi and brochure to the class. They will also complete a peer review
for their partner that will be taken into consideration on the final
grade. All students will take a questionnaire
over the presentations of others. Not only will students practice speaking in
front of a group, but they also must increasing their listening skills for the
presentations of others.
Resources
Retrieved from
