Zoo Habitats vs. Natural Habitats: A Look at the World's Biomes

Welcome future zoologists! I have already divided you into your five research teams. In your team, you will undergo research on your specific environment over a four-day span. On the fifth day, you will present your findings to our class of zoo creators. Each day you will have specific tasks to accomplish, which will be made clear below. You will also have to complete a worksheet or graphic organizer each day to turn in to me before you can go on to the next day’s work. The first day you will be doing background research on your biome as well as choosing the two animals that your group will focus on. The second day will be spent finishing what you did not finish on day one, and researching your two animals. Day three will be spent finishing your research and beginning to compile your information. The fourth day will be spent finishing your project and working with your group to create your final presentation that you will present on day five. Remember- do not use any websites other than the ones I have provided without my approval. 

Team One- Desert

Team Two- Rainforest

Team Three- Tundra

Team Four- Grasslands

Team Five- Forest

Day Number 1:

Today you will need to look up information on your team’s specific biome. I have given you each a graphic organizer to fill out with your findings. Although you are in a team, everyone must individually fill out their own graphic organizer, and then you may compare answers along the way.

Here are some general links to use to find information on your biome:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/habitat/habitat.html

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nw4.htm

http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/

http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/ict/AAA/habitats.htm

Please also listen to the podcast links listed at the bottom of this page if you would prefer.

You may also use YouTube to find movies on your biome as well as Google Images to find pictures.

Day Number 2: 

Today you will need to go over any revisions I have suggested on your graphic organizer from yesterday and begin looking into information on your animals. Because you are allowed to choose your own animals, it may be helpful to look on YouTube, Google, and the links provided from yesterday to start your research. If you are struggling to find enough information on your animal, please see me and I can lead you in the correct direction. Please do not be afraid to use the books that I have borrowed from the library either. For each animal you will need to find the following information:

a.)    gathers and stores food

b.)    finds shelter

c.)    defends themselves against predators

d.)    rears their young

e.)    one or two extra behaviors they may have including: hibernation, migration, camouflage, mimicry, instinct, learned behavior (see me if you would like to use another behavior)

Remember that for part e your extra behavior must be special to the animal’s specific biome. How does this adaptation help them survive in their environment? Feel free to use any notes and graphic organizers from last week to help you remember what each of these physical and biological behaviors means and for examples.

STAY ON TASK! Individuals who choose to not use their time wisely and who choose to go on unproductive websites will be punished in the grading process!

Day Number 3:

Today you need to finish your research on your team’s two animals and begin creating your presentation. Please finish your graphic organizers from Day Number 2 before moving on to your presentation. 

Your presentation will last 5-7 minutes. The first two minutes must be devoted to your particular biome and include the information you wrote in your graphic organizer on the first day. About 2 minutes should be spent on each animal. You will need to describe the behaviors you included on your Day Number 2 graphic organizer as well as plenty of pictures. You need to convince zoo creators that your animals need specific environments to survive and be comfortable in the zoo. Refer to the checklist to see what sorts of information you need to include in your presentation. Please use either a poster and printed off pictures and information, a poster on Glogster or a Prezi to complete your presentation. If you have forgotten how to use these websites I will be happy to help you!

Links to presentation materials:

www.glogster.com & www.prezi.com

Day Number 4:

Today you will finish the presentations you started yesterday. Today is your last day to work! By the end of today I will need a copy of your finished presentation as well as a script of what your team will be saying in your presentation. I need to know who will be saying what. Since there are seven people in your group make sure that you divide the talking up evenly among your teammates so you do not lose points. Remember- the animal’s comfort in the zoo depends upon your presentation, so give it your best effort!

Day Number 5:

Present your findings to your class and the zoo creators! Creativity is encouraged!