McCarthy 1
Instructional Objectives:
After this lesson, students will be able to: compare and contrast the different biomes of
the world, give examples of a different animal or plant adaptation for each biome, explain
why those adaptations are crucial to the organisms’ survival, and collaborate in small
groups using typewithme in order to produce a collaborative writing product.
State Standards:
4.1.7.A
Describe the relationships between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
- Compare and contrast different biomes and their characteristics
- Describe symbiotic and predator/prey relationships
4.1.7.C
Explain the flow of energy within an ecosystem.
- Compare and contrast the flow of energy between organisms in different habitats.
4.1.4.D
- Explain how specific adaptations can help organisms survive in their environment.
4.2.4.C
-Explain how freshwater organisms are adapted to their environment.
3.1.4.C2
-Describe plant and animal adaptations that are important to survival.
BIO.B.4.1.2 Describe characteristic biotic and abiotic components of aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems.
BIO.B.4.2.2 Describe biotic interactions in an ecosystem (e.g., competition, predation,
symbiosis).
Content Statements:
With this lesson, I am trying to teach students about the world’s biomes and what
each biome entails. This activity falls in the middle of our unit, but will be an
introduction to our “ecosystems” lessons. The students will learn about the biomes
through their own independent research and their group work. After the students
learn about their own individual biomes, they will present their biomes to the rest of
the class. This assignment ties into a bigger unit of ecology, and ties in concepts that
we will learn in class that include: adaptation, commensalisms, mutualism,
competition, predation, symbiosis, ecosystems, and abiotic and biotic interactions.
Challenges:
Two major challenges may stop this activity from working properly: the first is the
speed of the computers; the second is actually procuring enough laptops and
desktops so that each student will have a computer. My contingency plan in case of
technology failure would involve the students breaking into groups and collectively
filling in a chart on the whiteboard (attached).
Typically, when our class signs out laptops, it takes roughly 10-15 minutes to
log on. Although LS has block scheduling, and classes are typically an hour and
twenty minutes, login time is wasted time. Additionally, some computers will just
refuse to work for some students, and that has to be taken into account as well.
During this time, I could introduce the project; make sure that students understand
the assignment, and make them familiar with the typewithme program.
McCarthy 2
One way I could solve my computer shortage problem would be to schedule a
trip to the library. However, this will have to be done weeks in advance to insure
that I am guaranteed the library time. Additionally, if I want laptops in my
classroom, I will have to sign out the laptops a week in advance. My classes consist
of 25 students, and unfortunately, there are only 18-20 laptops. In order to make
sure that students have an equal input in their project, I could pair two students to a
computer and make it a group collaborative project.
McCarthy 3
Freshwater
Marine
Desert
Forest
Grassland
Locations
Around the
World
Average
Temperature
Average
Precipitation
Abiotic Features
3 Examples of
Plants:
Plant
Adaptations
3 Examples of
Animals:
Animal
Adaptations
Predator/Prey
Example
Example of
Cooperation
between
organisms
(Symbiosis,
mutualism,
commensalisms)
Students will be provided with a chart, regardless of tech
problems. This information will be on the test for the end of
the unit.
Tundra
McCarthy 4
Exploring the Biomes of the World
Project Summary: You will be assigned one of the following biomes:
Freshwater, Marine, Desert, Forest, Grassland, or Tundra and answer the
following questions:
-What is the climate like in your particular biome? (Remember to
mention precipitation, average temperatures, and seasons).
-What are the abiotic factors of your biome?
- Give 3 examples of plant life that can be found in this particular
biome, and give an example an adaptation for each.
- Give 3 examples animal life that can be found in this particular
biome, and give an example an adaptation for each.
-Give an example of competition, a predator-prey relationship, and
a cooperative interaction (symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic).
-Each member of the group should include 1 resource and put it at
the bottom of their website.
Procedure: In order to complete this activity, you will need to do the
following:
1) Log into your computer and access the following websites:
Group 1: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz1
Group 2: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz2
Group 3: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz3
Group 4: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz4
Group 5: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz5
Group 6: http://tinyurl.com/biomountz6
2) Carefully read the directions and answer the questions together as a
group. Your individual contributions will be posted in the color of your
choosing.
3) Make sure your comments are appropriate and professional. You will
be expected to briefly talk about your results.
McCarthy 5
Grading Guidelines:
Teacher Name: James McCarthy
Student Name: ________________________________________
CATEGORY
Abiotic Factors
3 Points
3 Abiotic Factors Listed
2 Points
2 Abiotic Factors Listed
1 Point
1 Abiotic Factors Listed
0P
No
Plant Life and Adaptations
3 Examples of plants given, 3
adaptations given
Missing one adaptation or
example
missing more than two
examples of plants and
adaptations
No
ad
Animal Life and
Adaptations
3 examples of animal life
given, 3 adaptations for each
given.
missing one adaptation or
example
missing more than two
examples of animals and
adaptations
no
ad
Animal/Plant Interaction
Included an example of
predator-prey interaction,
cooperative interaction, and
competition.
Missing one example of
animal/plant interaction.
Missing two or more
examples of animal/plant
interaction
no
int
Resources
Included at least 4 resources
Included at least 3 resources
Included at least 2 resources
In
Exemplar: http://typewith.me/DqRlo7xMnW