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Biome-in-a-Box Project

Science: Goal 1The student will investigate and understand dynamic interactions withinpopulations, communities, and ecosystems.

DUE ONTuesday, Oct 21st

Biome-in-a-Box Diorama: (50 points)You may chose from the following biomes:

1. Tundra2. Taiga (Coniferous Forest)3. Desert4. Temperate Deciduous Forest5. Tropical Rain Forest

6. Grassland

The box for the project should be shoebox size or larger.

The diorama should contain:o At least 3 animal species found in your chosen biome.o At least 3 plant species found in your chosen biome.o The biome should be realistically represented with geographical

features such as mountains, streams, rivers, etc.o You may use clay, paint, papier-mch, small plastic trees or

animals, or anything else that you can think of to portray yourbiome correctly. BE CREATIVE!!

o A background on the back and sides of the box The background may be painted, drawn and colored, or

made of a neat collage of pictures cut from magazines

Biome Letter: (50 Points)You have been chosen to join a scientific expedition to the biome you havechosen. While you are there you write a letter to your science teacher describingyour biome. Your letter to me should include:

An accurate description of your biome including what the seasons are likeand how long they last.

Descriptions of at least 3 plant and3 animal species shown in your

dioramao Descriptions should include adaptations to life in your biome.

The average temperature.

The average yearly rainfall.

Approximate longitude and latitude of your biome.

The type of soil that can be found in your biome.

A description of what life is like in your biome.

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Descriptions of unique conditions in your biome such as, permafrost,length of night and day, any other aspect of your biome that is interestingto you.

The paper must be typed and double-spaced.

Sources: You may use your class notes, encyclopedias, and the followingInternet websites:

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

*Plagiarism is unacceptable! Do not directly copy information from theInternet directly into your paper. Put the information into your own words.

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The Biome-in-a-Box diorama is worth a maximum of 50 points.The Biome Letter is worth a maximum of 50 points.

Together a maximum of 100 points is available.

Use the rubrics provided to help you with designing and writing your project.I will use the rubrics to grade your diorama and your letter.

Both the Biome-in-a-Box and the Biome Letter are:

DUE ON Tuesday, October 21st

Friday is a day off of school. It is the perfect opportunity to finish up yourproject with the assistance of a family member. Remember that you need todo most of the work because it is your learning.

Project adapted from:Granville County Public Schools

www.gcs.k12.nc.us

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.htmlhttp://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.htmlhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/

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Biome Letter Rubric NAME:_____________________

Category 10 8 6 5

Amount of

Information

Paper is atleast 1.5 typedpages and alltopics areaddressed withat least 2sentencesabout each.

Paper is atleast 1.5 typedpages and alltopics areaddressed withat least 1sentenceabout each.

Paper is not1.5 typedpages but alltopics areaddressed with1 sentenceabout each.

Paper is not1.5 typedpages and oneor more topicswere notaddressed.

Quality ofInformation

All informationis accurate tochosen biomeand is clearlyorganized.

Mostinformation isaccurate tochosen biomeand is clearlyorganized.

Mostinformation isaccurate tochosen biome.Organization isunclear.

Mostinformation isinaccurate tochosen biomeandorganization isunclear.

Sources:Bibliography

All sources areaccuratelydocumented inthe desiredformat.

All sources areaccuratelydocumented,but a few arenot in thedesired format.

All sources areaccuratelydocumented,but many arenot in thedesired format.

Some sourcesare notaccuratelydocumented.

Internet Use

Successfullyusessuggestedinternet links tofindinformationand workedwell duringtime allotted.

Moderatelysuccessful atusingsuggestedinternet links tofindinformationand workedwell duringtime allotted.

Successful tomoderatelysuccessful atusingsuggestedinternet links tofindinformation butwas off taskduring the timeallotted.

Needsassistance orsupervision touse suggestedinternet linksand/or wasdisruptive toothers duringtime allotted.

Mechanics

Nogrammatical,spelling orpunctuationerrors.

Almost nogrammatical,spelling orpunctuationerrors.

A fewgrammaticalspelling, orpunctuationerrors.

Manygrammatical,spelling, orpunctuationerrors.

Points earned: _____ _____ ______ ______

Total points for Biome Letter: _______

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Biome in a Box Diorama Rubric NAME:_________________

Category 10 8 6 5

Attractivenessand Creativity

Display box isvery attractiveand creativityis evident.

Display box isveryattractive.

Display box issomewhatattractive.

Display box ismessy andunattractive.

Accuracy ofAnimals

More than 3animals areaccuratelyshown.

At least 3animals areaccuratelyshown.

One animal isinaccuratelyshown.

More thanone animal isinaccuratelyshown.

Accuracy ofPlants

More than 3plants areaccuratelyshown.

At least 3plants areaccuratelyshown.

One plant isinaccuratelyshown.

More thanone plant isinaccuratelyshown.

BackgroundBackground isvery neatlydepicted andpresent on allthree sides.

Background isneatlydepicted andpresent on allthree sides.

Background ispresent on allthree sides.

Background isnot presenton all threesides.

CompletenessAllcomponentsof assignmentare present.

Most (1 itemmissing)componentsof assignmentare present.

Some (2 to 3itemsmissing)componentsof assignmentare present.

Few (morethan 3 itemsmissing)componentsof assignmentare present.

Points earned: _____ _____ ______ ______

Points from Diorama:_______

Points from Letter:________

FINAL GRADE: _________