Educational Activities (Lesson Plans) The Winnipeg School Division No. 1
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Science - Ecology Project - S1

Art
Yes

Multi-disciplinary
Yes

Science
Yes

Description
Students research, document sources, apply ecology content knowledge and display the results on a creative poster.  Marking scheme included.

MultiClassPlan
Yes

Tech Skills
Use of CD-ROMS, Internet

Software
Any available CD-ROMs, Internet Browser

SpecificGrade
Yes

T1
S1

SubmittedBy
Jacqueline Morrison

Acknowledgments
Thanks to Judith Dueck for helping to develop the research aspect of this project.

Details:

S1 BIOME RESEARCH PROJECT

You and your partner will choose a biome to research. Your team will create a poster on the biome that shows the relationships between the plants, animals and abiotic factors in the biome.


We will study the vocabulary below in class - you are responsible for all of the following terms on any tests or exams based on this unit.

primary consumers secondary consumers tertiary consumers

carnivores herbivores omnivores

top carnivore scavenger producers

decomposers autotrophs heterotrophs
parasite saprohytes

However, for the poster, you may choose to leave some of the words out, depending on the level of complexity you are attempting. (See mark sheet.)  Deductions will occur if the used improperly used or misspelled.

Be sure to include the influence of both living and non-living factors in the system.

RESEARCH: Look on CD-ROM, Internet, the card catalogue, vertical files and in periodicals. Keep track of where you found each bit of information - your bibliography will form part of your mark.  Use the bibliography format supplied by the librarian.

Think of alternate words that may also contain information on your biome. For example, an Arctic biome might be found under Polar Lands, Tundra, Greenland or North.

The more creative and attractive you make your poster the better!

A rough copy of your research notes worth marks will be due on _______________.

A sketch of your poster plan (10 marks) and your bibliography  (20 marks) will be due on _______________.

The final copy of your poster will be due on ________________.


BIOME PROJECT MARKING SHEET

OVERALL IMPRESSION
{Attractive (5), easy to understand (5), depth of material (10)}

Marks Earned 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

ILLUSTRATIONS
(Neat, labeled)

Marks Earned 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


ABIOTIC FACTORS
(Relationships with biotic factors correctly explained, 2 marks per factor to a maximum of 10 marks. Your total for the mark category will depend on what you attempt and complete correctly.)

Number of abiotic factor marks attempted _____
Marks Earned 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ADAPTATION OF ONE ORGANISM
(Explain how one living organism is adapted to fit the biome with specific references to physical features)

Marks Earned 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


ECOLOGY VOCABULARY
(One mark for each word correctly used. You must complete the "basics" list for your project. If you wish to try for an intermediate or advanced vocabulary, you will receive extra depth of material marks in the Overall Impression category. Your total for this mark category will depend on what you attempt and complete correctly.)

Basic Intermediate Advanced

All basic plus All basic and intermediate plus

( ) herbivore ( ) heterotroph ( )mutualism
( ) carnivore ( ) autotroph ( ) commensalism
( ) omnivore ( ) primary consumer ( ) parasitism
( ) producer ( ) secondary consumer ( ) adaptation
( ) consumer ( ) tertiary consumer
( ) decomposer

Marks attempted_____

Marks Earned 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 t1 12 13 14 15


FINAL SCORE

            ______Marks Earned Percentage ______

Marks Attempted

TIPS AND HINTS FOR TEACHERS:
-Check resources with your librarian so you can limit the number of students researching the same topic.

-Take the bibliography and poster sketches as "temperature checks" to
ensure students are on task.

- I also used an "on task" checklist during research time to give students individual participation marks.

- The  main biomes are listed in the Heath Science Dimensions 9, but we added: ponds,lakes, swamps, oceans, estuaries, hot and cold deserts, etc.  The students will find one that interests them and ask for modifcation.

- I laminated the best projects and was able to convince one student to let me keep one as a demo model.