THE CHRONICLES OF LAND BIOMES

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your Land Biomes Webquest!
During this interactive Webquest activity,
you will travel the world to discover details about
the earth's Life Zones, also known as Biomes.

The six land biomes are:

TUNDRA

GRASSLAND

TAIGA

DECIDUOUS FOREST

TROPICAL FOREST

DESERT

The Academic Standard for this Webquest is
4.6. Ecosystems and their Interactions
4.6.4 Identify a simple ecosystem and its living and nonliving components.

TASK

You are a scientist working to investigate essential information about the earth and its life zones.
Each member's role is important to the success of your journey.
Team members must invest time, effort and collaboration for success!
Teams will work together using internet websites to investigate and document the location, inhabitants, climate and temperatures of one of the earth's six land biomes.

• You will find internet resources in the PROCESS section of this webquest.
• Record what you find out about your Biome in your Chronicles of Biome Journal.
  Include the following information:
• Identify the location of one of the six land biomes.
• Write 4 facts about about the global position/location of the biome.
  
• Write about the environment of the biome.
• Give at least 4 examples of plants and animals that live in the biome.
  
• Note 4 additional pieces of valuable information in your Chonicles of Land Biomes Journal
  Next:
  
• Write a 5 paragraph, clear-focused essay using all of the data you have collected from the internet.
  
• Include information about the location of the biome.
• Identify plants and animals that inhabit the biome.
• Discuss adaptations or behaviors that the animals may need to exist in the biome.
• Identify the climate, including the temperature and conditions of the biome.
• Note any other information you find valuable about the biome.
  PROJECT
• Once you have completed the essay, you will work together on your project.. Using the knowledge you have gained from your expedition, construct a mini-Biome in a small glass jar.
• Discuss with your teammates materials you will need to construct your biome.
• Use these materials to create plants and animals and any other important items.
  

PROCESS
Many different resources are found throughout the planet earth.
There are varying amounts of air, water, temperatures and solar energy, leading to the existence of different plants and animals in various locations.
These locations are referred to as Biomes, or Life Zones.

You will be a scientist on a team on this journey to one of the earth's six biomes.
You will each select a role on your team as either:
1. The Team Leader - Organize the journey to your team's Biome
2. The Materials Manager - Provide the necessary materials needed for your team's journey.
3. The Time Manager - Makes sure that the team is spending its time well.
4. The Recorder - Document the details of your journey and report back to your team.

Using the guiding questions in the Task Section of this Webquest,
Click on these links to use these websites to assist you in your scientific investigation!

World Climates
Biomes
The Tundra Biome
The Grassland Biome
The Taiga Biome
The Deciduous Forest Biome
The Tropical Forest Biome
The Desert Biome

Don't forget to work in teams to construct your mini-biome.
The final product will be a collaboration of all of your ideas and research!
Consider bringing play-doh, grass, dirt and diferent sizes of jars to create your biome.

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EVALUATION
Your team will receive one score based on your group's work.SCORING RUBRIC FOR LAND BIOME GROUP PROJECT
Highest score possible:30 ADVANCED=5 PROFICIENT=4 AVERAGE=2 BASIC=1 BELOW BASIC=0 SCORE=______

USE OF INTERNET
(5)Found appropriate information with no prompts.
(4)Found appropriate information with 1-2 prompts.
(3)Found appropriate information with 3-4 prompts.
(2)Found appropriate information with 5-6 prompts.
(1)Needed intensive assistance to access information.

INVESTIGATION - PART 1
(5)Includes more than 4 facts about location, plant and animals.
(4)Includes 4 facts about location, plant and animals.
(3)Includes 3 facts about location, plant and animals.
(2)Includes 2 fact about location, plant and animals.
(1)Includes 1 fact about location, plant and animals.

INVESTIGATION - PART 2
)5)More than 4 additional pieces of valuable information.
(4)4 additional pieces of valuable information.
(3)3 additional pieces of valuable information.
(2)2 additional pieces of valuable information.
(1)1 additional pieces of valuable information.

COLLABORATION
(5)Consistently and actively works toward team goals.
(4)Works toward team goals without prompting.
(3)Works toward team goals with occasional prompting.
(2)Works toward team goals only when prompted.
(1)Does not work towards team goals.

CRITICAL THINKING
(5)Writes a 5 paragraph clear-focused essay.
(4)Writes a 4 paragraph clear-focused essay.
(3)Writes a 3 paragraph clear-focused essay.
(2)Writes a 2 paragraph essay.
(1)Writes a 1 paragraph essay.

MINI BIOME
(5)Constructs mini-biome using 5 or more items to accurately portray biome.
(4)Constructs mini-biome using 5 items to accurately portray biome.
(3)Constructs mini-biome using 3-4 items to accurately portray biome.
(2)Constructs mini-biome using 1-2 items to accurately portray biome.
(1)Does not construct mini-biome.

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CONCLUSION
REFLECT UPON YOUR WEBQUEST EXPERIENCE. DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH YOUR TEAM:
What impact do climate, temperature, water and air have on the inhabitants of the biome?
How did you reach your conclusion?
What consequences do you think people have on the earth's biomes?
Can you help to change these effects? If so, how?

We hope you have enjoyed your Land Biome journey! Our class will have a "Land Biomes Night"
where all of your biomes will be on display to share with your families and friends.

Email: biomes1@hotmail.com