Grade Levels:  grades 7 and 8

Subject:  Science

Learner Outcomes:  The students will determine the biotic and abiotic components of the Savanna, Desert and Tundra biomes.

Duration of Lesson:  (One) 50 minute class period

Materials:  pencil, paper

Technology Tools/Coureware:  Computer, Internet, VCR, TV, Microsoft Word

Teachers Notes:  Teachers should have students to debate the validity of the film, Exxon Valdez Alaska Oil Spill and Clean-up, and discuss any possible bias that might be involved in the reporting of the clean-up efforts. (Film was created by employees of Exxon Valdez)

Procedures:

1. Pre assignment - Review biotic and abiotic components of a biome
2. Exploration - Students will go to the following sites on the internet to research and discover information pertaining to the biotic and abiotic components of each of these biomes:

Modifications:  Modify according to individual IEPs,  suggest oral instructions, extended time and peer tutoring.

Enrichment Activities:  Students can view internet site on Alaska .

Extension:

     Math:  Students will create a bar graph that indicates the average rainfall per month and average temperature per month, using given information from climographs, for each biome.

     Language Arts:  Students will view video on Exxon Valdez Alaska Oil Spill and Clean-up efforts.

Evaluation/Assessment:  The students will use Microsoft Word to write an essay describing each biome.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
        Science:   7.5, 7.13, 7.22, 7.31, 7.32, 7.75, 7.76, 8.4, 8.13, 8.17, 8.24, 8.26, 8.31, 8.92, 8.93, 8.98
        Math:   7.27, 7.30, 8.26
        Language Arts:   7.36, 7.54, 8.18, 8.27, 8.30

National Standards:
        Level 3, Standard 6
                        Understand the relationship among organisms and their physical environment.

Reference:    Heath: Life Science, 1987.  Lexington, Massachusetts:  D.C. Heath and Company.

Authors:
Cora Staten
Cynthia Caldwell
Paul Epperly
 
 

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