GRAPHIC
ORGANIZERS
In this section you will find the materials that scaffold prior knowledge with
new information. Students will manipulate information from current and prior
studies as they use imaginary organisms (fosters confidence for struggling
readers) to create food webs. They are able to organize research materials
through the use of Cornell Notes and questioning to give purpose to readings.
From these readings, students develop “facts based” written works and are
provided exemplars that promote excellence. Lastly, the group develops an
oral presentation strategy that defines the relevance for their work.
LOOKS LIKE:
Students learn:
 Imaginary food web
 Imaginary energy pyramid
 Characteristics of ALL biomes
 Global environmental issues
Students produce:
 Biome specific food web
 Biome specific energy pyramid
 Biome specific characteristics
 Biome specific environmental issue
Biome Brainstorming Chart
Biomes and Their Characteristics
Newsletter Biomes Graphic Organizer
Biome Alert – Biomes Newsletter Format
Book Selected Reading – Cornell Notes
Newspaper/Magazine Article Reading – Cornell Notes
Internet Article Reading – Cornell Notes
The Food Web
Partners ___________________
Biome Brainstorming Chart for:
___________________
Biome ___________________
___________________
___________________
Instructions: In your group, brainstorm what you already know or might know about your biome, and
fill in the appropriate boxes. On the back, write questions that arise.
Defining
characteristics of
your biome
Occurrence on
Earth
Climate and
geographic
features
Organisms
Mechanisms of
survival (physical
and behavioral)
Title of Book: __________________________________________
Topic: ________________________________ Pages: _________
Name ___________________
BOOK SELECTED READING
CORNELL NOTES
FOCUS FOR READING
While you read, focus on the following questions that you are interested in
answering. ADD questions that you have as you continue to read.
1.
FACTUAL RESPONSE
When you find an answer to the focus questions or to
questions that you have asked, write the facts in you own
words.
What is the purpose of this reading?
_________________________________________
2.
What new key vocabulary words did I notice?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3.
How does this book’s selection help me understand what
I am studying in class?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
4.
5.
What personal connections do you have to the
information in this selection?
Questions I have about this reading:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_____________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Summary: In your own words, write about the information you learned from this reading.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________
Author: ____________________ Date: ______________________
Name __________________________
NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE ARTICLE READING
CORNELL NOTES
FOCUS FOR READING
While you read, focus on the following questions that you are interested in
answering. ADD questions that you have as you continue to read.
6.
FACTUAL RESPONSE
When you find an answer to the focus questions or to questions that you have
asked, write the facts in you own words.
What is the main idea for the article?
_________________________________________
7.
What new key vocabulary words did I notice?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
8.
How does this article impact the lives of people and the
world?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
9.
What personal connections do you have to the
information in this article?
10. Questions I have about this reading:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_____________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Summary: In your own words, write about this article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________
Author: ____________________ URL: ______________________
Name ______________________
INTERNET ARTICLE READING
CORNELL NOTES
FOCUS FOR READING
While you read, focus on the following questions that you are interested in
answering. ADD questions that you have as you continue to read.
FACTUAL RESPONSE
When you find an answer to the focus questions or to questions that you have
asked, write the facts in you own words.
11. Who has submitted this article?
_________________________________________
12. Is it a reliable source? How do I know?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
13. What is the main idea for the article?
14. What new key vocabulary words did I notice?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
15. How does this article impact the lives of people and the
world?
_________________________________________
16. What personal connections do I have to the information
in this article?
_________________________________________
17. My questions that need more exploration:
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Summary: In your own words, use the fact to write about this article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cornell notes are student-organizing techniques used to focus
student reading in the content area. When students are doing
independent reading, they will generate their questions. Within
a specific unit like the biome’s unit, I generate the questions so
that students can be guided through their individual readings.
BIOMES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
BIOME
CHARACTERISTICS
AVERAGE
TEMPERATURE
DESERT
GRASSLANDS
RAINFOREST
TAIGA
TEMPERATE
FOREST
TUNDRA
Name ____________________________________
WIND SPEED AND
DIRECTION
AVERAGE
RAINFALL
LATITUDE
CONSUMER
SPECIFIC TO
BIOME
PRODUCER
SPECIFIC TO
BIOME
Biomes Graphic Organizer
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
Link 1 – Solution 1 here:
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
Link 2 – Solution 2 here:
State your issue/project here:
Give history of the problem, include
links to 4 pages
Link 3 – How we can help –
occupations that serve the biome
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
Link 4: Projection of biome without
change
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
State
supporting
fact here:
USE THIS FORMAT TO COMPLETE YOUR NEWSLETTER. LOOK AT THE LOCATION FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED FOR A 6!
Biome Alert
February 2008
Volume 1, Issue 2
Seventh Grade Science, 2nd Period
NEWSLETTER’S NAME
By Lorri T., Charles G., and Genevieve S.
AUTHORS NAMES
What Does the Future Hold for the
Trubroske Biome?
FUTURE OF BIOME, PICTURE, AND
RESOURCES
We envision a bright future for the deserts of the world.
As humans realize the impact they are making on this
fragile biome, they will change their behaviors. Cities in
deserts will create infrastructures that are environmentally
friendly, including structures that reflect heat rather than
absorb it. Bronilla bears will flourish because human
visitors will appreciated their complexity and beauty while
visiting, taking care not to abuse them.
The Fate of the Trubroske Monticello Continent
Solutions for a Biome at Risk
Solutions for the Heat Island Ecosystem
CLIMATE ISSUE
It is well known that the deserts are hot places. However, cities created by humans have impacted the deserts by making them even
hotter. On warm days, air surrounding a large city can be 6-8 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than surrounding areas, creating a “heat island
effect.” These higher temperatures lead to increased smog and energy use, both of which pollute the environment. ISSUES FACING
THE BIOME & SOLUTION
We understand that it would be unreasonable to expect humans to dismantle their cities and abandon the desert in the name of
environmental justice.
Thus, we propose several solutions to this heat island effect. First …………
Secondly, etc.
Solutions for Increased Killing of the Bronilla Bear
BIOLOGIST ISSUE
Oxford Scientific Films/Anthony Bannister
Science jobs in the desert include:

Land management

Fire Science

Biologist
RESOURCES 6

Ecologist
ARE NEEDED!
References:
1. Desert Foothills Land Trust: Fires threaten Trubroske
desert’s natural balance. www.dflt.org/awareness/fires.htm
2. http://eetd.lbl.gov/Heat Island - Trubroske
3. www.cwnp.org/naturalist/hammettfire.html
As humans have discovered that the teeth of Bronilla Bears help in the balding of human heads, the loss of the population has become
a serious problem in the Trubroske Biome. Such issues as habitat loss and drought weather had caused….. ISSUES FACING THE
BIOME AND SOLUTIONS
To combat the environmentally catastrophic, we propose the following remedies. First, we want to reduce the amount of animals
allowed to be killed during the season. This will be done by making it illegal to…. Also, when trucks transporting …………..To help
people learn about these pernicious animals, brochures will be mailed to residents and businesses who have activities in the area.
Secondly, etc.
Solutions for the Neumelinda Tree Spraying
NOTE: The arrow starts from the
organism being eaten and the arrowhead
points toward the animal that eats them.
ON EACH ARROW WRITE:
TRANSFERS ENERGY TO.
BOTANIST ISSUE
Name ___________________________________
THE FOOD WEB
EXEMPLARS –
Teacher Organizes
GOOD/BETTER/BEST
Posting exemplars of
The BEST work helps
Students analyze their
work for SUCCESS!