Biome Diorama Project Instructions/Rubric
What: Students will be creating their own diorama (a 3-dimensional model) of one of the major biomes of their choice! In addition to creating the
diorama, additional research will need to be done to answer questions in a research packet (see rubric). MUCH of the research will be done in school and
will help make sure that your diorama is an accurate depiction  There are a couple additional options for this project that students may choose in lieu of
a diorama listed at the bottom of the page. All other requirements on the rubric are the same. This will count as a test/project grade.
Where: Students will have time to research on the chrome books at school and explore books from our library as well as books that I checked out from
the Brunswick Library to research and gather information about their biome. The research portion of this project will be completed at school. See the
schedule outlined for each day. If the daily task is not completed at school, the remainder will become homework, which will be communicated on
Progress Book. There will be a day designated for “catching up” on any portion that students may need more time on. The diorama will be completed
at home, along with any part of the packet that was not completed in school. If any student needs additional time to explore the books or research online
I can arrange time during recess next week.
When: We will be researching in school Wednesday 5/13 – Wednesday 5/20. Additional research may need to be done at home. This project will be
due Thursday 5/21. Students will present on this day. Please make arrangements to bring diorama to and from school on this day if necessary.
Why: To learn about ecosystems and compare plant and animal life in different biomes! Our “I Can” statement is: “I can explain how plants and animals
interact and rely on each other in an ecosystem”
How: Please don’t break the bank on this project!! You should be able to find reasonably priced items for your diorama at Pat Catan’s, The Dollar Store,
etc. Feel free to print off pictures from the Internet or draw pictures of your plants and animals as long as they are neat! (They should still be 3-D for a
diorama) Contact me if you have any questions or need help/advice!  mmendel@bcsoh.org
Additional Options for Biome Project
Create an eye-catching poster that accurately represents the biome of
your choice. You must include all elements on the rubric for the dioramaEssentially it is the same project only 2-dimensional. The poster must be
filled completely (as all sides of the diorama do) and labeled. Students
who choose this option will also complete the same research packet.
Di
ora
ma
10 points
1. Attractiveness
Background is completely decorated.
Diorama is neat, creative, and attractive
Create a tri-fold brochure (see me for template if necessary) that is
informative and persuasive, informing the reader of all that your biome has
to offer and why you should visit this biome. Again, all elements on the
rubric for the diorama and research packet also apply! In choosing the
brochure, you are choosing to write more rather than show a visual
representation of your biome (you must still include small pictures or
drawings)
6 points
3 sides of the background are decorated.
Diorama is somewhat neat, creative, and
0 points
Less than 3 sides of the background are
decorated. Diorama is messy and
Points
Earned
& Creativity
attractive
disorganized
5 plants from the area are accurately shown
and classified
3-4 of plants are shown accurately
Less than 3 plants are shown accurately
5 animals from the area are accurately
shown and classified
3-4 of animals are accurately shown and
classified
Less than 3 animals are accurately
shown and classified
All animals and plants are labeled and title
is shown
3-4 plants and animals labeled
Less than 3 plants and animals labeled
5. Location/Map
Map is colored/labeled correctly and all
questions about the region and map
features are answered correctly
6/10 of the map labeling/questions are
answered correctly
Less than 6 of the map
labeling/questions are answered
correctly
6. Food Web
Accurately creates a food web including 5
animals and plants
Accurately creates food web including only 34 animals or plants
Completes a food web with less than 3
animals or plants OR does not complete
a food web
Describes which organism is hypothetically
becoming “extinct”, but does not describe how
they think that would affect ALL other organisms
in their food web using complete sentences and
reasoning. (Only includes 3-4 plants and animals
OR description is not accurate).
Does not complete food web writing
7. Food Web
Writing
Accurately describes which organism is
hypothetically becoming “extinct” and
how they think that would affect ALL
other organisms in their food web using
complete sentences and reasoning.
Accurately describes climate (temperature,
precipitation, abiotic factors, etc.)
Accurately discusses human impact on
biome
.
Incorrectly describes climate OR only
partially describes climate
Incorrectly discussed human impact on biome
Does not describe climate
Explained every part of biome project (all
elements above)
Explained all but 1-2 parts of biome project
Presented biome project but missed 3 or
more steps or did not present biome
project
2. Accuracy of
Flora (plants)
3. Accuracy of
Fauna (animals)
Research/Packet
4. Display of
Title & labels
8. Climate
9. Human Impact
10. Presentation
Does not discuss human impact on
biome
Notes:
Total Points
(100 points possible)
Research Schedule
Students will be given the full class time (85 minutes) to work on their research. I will be modeling research techniques on my
smart board and providing assistance as needed. Students who do not finish the daily task will have to complete it at home in order
to stay on track. Students are welcome to work ahead if they finish a task early. If students finish the research portion early, they
may bring their materials to work on their diorama, poster, or brochure in class. Students who need extra time to research can have
time arranged during recess.
Wednesday 5/13: Review biomes, explore biome books and choose a biome to research!
Thursday 5/14: Begin researching Flora (plants) & Fauna (animals) and classifying each organism in two ways.
Friday 5/15: Make Food Web & complete Food Web Writing activity.
Weekend 5/16-5/17: Students can begin their diorama, poster, or brochure AS LONG AS they have completed the Flora & Fauna
and Food Web portion of their research packet, so that they have accurate information to include in their diorama, poster, or
brochure.
*Continue working on biome diorama/poster/brochure each night at home until the due date. If you are spending more than 20-30
minutes per night working on this project, contact me for assistance.
Monday 5/18: Location/Map AND Climate
Tuesday 5/19: Human Impact & Catch-up day
Wednesday 5/20: Catch-up day
Thursday 5/21: Projects are due! Presentations today 
**Make up presentations will take place Tuesday, May 26th.