This document provides instructions for a student activity where students will research different biomes and create presentations about their assigned biome. Students will be assigned to groups and each group will research one of nine biomes. They will use provided websites to learn about their biome and answer questions. Then they will create a PowerPoint presentation and pie chart about their biome. Finally, they will write a letter to their senator explaining how environmental changes affect their biome.

1. Journey Through the Biomes Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] A WebQuest for 8th Grade Science Designed by Melissa Ring [email_address] Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2. Introduction Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Greetings Explorers! You will soon be setting out on a journey across the planet. You will travel from the north to south pole and across all continents reporting back on all the different types of biomes and wildlife you see. Each Biome is a specific geographical region made up of plant and animals species adapted to their environment. They are all related and depend on each other for their own survival. So pack your bags and equipment, let’s set out on this great journey through the biomes!

5. Evaluation Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] Graph makes interpretation impossible. Graph distorts the data Graph is adequate Graph fits the data well Graph Graph The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 3 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains at least 4 accurate facts about the topic. Content Accuracy The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were somewhat organized, but not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organziation could have been better. Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work. Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work. Sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing is generally done well. Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure. Sentences & Paragraphs Letter Project is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies. Project is missing more than two key elements. Project includes most material but is lacking one or two key elements. Project includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. Effectiveness Group often is not effective in sharing responsibility. Group shares responsibility effectively some of the time. Group shares responsibility effectively most of the time. Group shares responsibility effectively all of the time. Cooperation Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content A few graphics do not seem to support thevcontent. A few graphics are not attractive but all support the content. All graphics are attractive and support the content of the presentation. Use of Graphics Content is confusing or contains more than one factual error. O piece of information is clearly inaccurate. There is one piece of information that might be inaccurate. All content throughout the presentation is accurate. Content - Accuracy PowerPoint 1 2 3 4 CATEGORY

6. Conclusion Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] This activity has begun the introduction to ecology. Not only have you learned about the different biomes around our planet and how they are connected but you have also figured out the impact of environmental changes. Some of these changes are natural but some are caused by humans. You have informed the decision makers of this state of how different actions by humans affects the environment and the plants and animals that live in them. After they are reviewed, the letters you have written will actually be sent to your local Senators, so be sure that they are free of spelling and grammatical errors.

7. Credits & References Student Page Title Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits [ Teacher Page ] . Website information: http:// www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm http://www.worldbiomes.com/ http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php Picture Resources: E. Benders-Hyde http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm The WebQuest Page and The WebQuest Slideshare Group

8. Journey Through the Biomes (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page A WebQuest for 8th Grade Science Designed by Melissa Ring [email_address] Based on a template from The WebQuest Page Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion

9. Introduction (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page This lesson was developed to introduce the students to the Ecology Unit. The purpose is to familiarize the students about the different habitats/biomes around our planet and how they are interrelated. The students will be able to determine the impacts of environmental changes on our Earth (by way of the biomes). The audience is intended to be an 8 th grade science class but the lesson can be modified to higher grade levels. The lesson is designed to incorporate science and English content areas. By writing a letter to their Senators the students will utilize their writing skills as well as take pride in their work knowing their product will be seen by an outside audience. Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion

10. Learners (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page This lesson is intended for 8 th grade science students during their Ecology Unit. It is an introductory lesson for the unit and will lead into climate changes, habitats and plant/animal species. The students will need to know general information about geographical areas of the world as well as working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Because this is an introductory. Additional information they will need to know is terminology such as deciduous, climate, adaptation and other terms not covered previously. Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion

14. Evaluation (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion Graph makes interpretation impossible. Graph distorts the data Graph is adequate Graph fits the data well Graph Graph The letter contains no accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 1-2 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains 3 accurate facts about the topic. The letter contains at least 4 accurate facts about the topic. Content Accuracy The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were somewhat organized, but not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organziation could have been better. Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. Ideas Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work. Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work. Sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing is generally done well. Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure. Sentences & Paragraphs Letter Project is lacking several key elements and has inaccuracies. Project is missing more than two key elements. Project includes most material but is lacking one or two key elements. Project includes all material needed to gain a comfortable understanding of the topic. Effectiveness Group often is not effective in sharing responsibility. Group shares responsibility effectively some of the time. Group shares responsibility effectively most of the time. Group shares responsibility effectively all of the time. Cooperation Several graphics are unattractive AND detract from the content A few graphics do not seem to support thevcontent. A few graphics are not attractive but all support the content. All graphics are attractive and support the content of the presentation. Use of Graphics Content is confusing or contains more than one factual error. O piece of information is clearly inaccurate. There is one piece of information that might be inaccurate. All content throughout the presentation is accurate. Content - Accuracy PowerPoint 1 2 3 4 CATEGORY

15. Teacher Script (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page Prior to starting this lesson the teacher will need to go over terminology that may be unfamiliar to the students. An overview of the concepts will give the students the prior knowledge they will need to complete the tasks. An important thing to remember during this lesson is to maintain good classroom management. Students may wander to other websites, it is important to monitor their progress. A way to accomplish this is to give directions in the classroom prior to going down to the computer lab to decrease the distractions. Also providing handouts of the instructions will decrease some questions from the students. Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion

16. Conclusion (Teacher) [ Student Page ] Title Introduction Learners Standards Process Resources Credits Teacher Page This lesson allows students to use inquiry based methods to answer questions. The Webquest assists the students in finding the right information and guides them to helpful resources as opposed to having them complete a blanket search of all information on the internet. It keeps the students focused on the purpose of the project as opposed to finding the information. Evaluation Teacher Script Conclusion