Biomes

a WebQuest for sixth grade science

by Dana Matousek

Introduction 

You have a new summer job working for a travel agent. You have been hired to create brochures and posters that will persuade travelers to visit a specific geographical biome. You have the opportunity to be extremely creative for the summer!

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The Task

Working in groups of four or five, divide up the task of researching one of the six biomes: Tundra, Taiga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Tropical Rain Forest, Grasslands and Desert. You will organize the information into a brochure and illustrate the biome ecosystem in a poster. Each group member will assemble a brochure to present to a group of travel agents selling different biomes.

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The Process

1. First, meet with your assigned group and read through the entire webquest.
2. Once you are familiar with what you will be doing, brainstorm ways to accomplish your tasks. To brainstorm effectively, you should take on roles such as recorder, to write down all group members ideas; task master, to mediate and keep everyone on task; and a audio master, to be a good listener to make sure that all group members' ideas get recorded.
3. Agree upon the best way to accomplish your task and make a quick outline. Each group member should make a list of the research and work he or she is responsible for.
4. Research your biome topics. (See Resources and Criteria lists.) When you are researching, make sure that you save all of your work in the same place each day, whether it is in a folder, notebook or on a computer disk. Disks will be held by the teacher.
5. Meet with your group. Exchange information and discuss findings. If you find that you need more information in some areas, research further.
6. Word process your part of the biome information in column format. Edit. Peer edit. Print enough copies for each member of your group, including yourself, to have a copy. (Let me know if you need copies of pictures.)
7. Meet with your group. Brainstorm ways to format your brochure. Look at brochures in the classroom for more ideas. Exchange copies of information and pictures.
8. Create your brochure. You may use a format that was suggested in your group or your own new idea. Be creative.
9. Meet with your group. If you did not break up jobs to complete the poster, brainstorm and agree on how you want your poster to be completed, then do so.
10. Complete poster. Hang it up in the classroom above the envelope with your biome name on it.
11. You will be reassigned to a group that will include at least one member from each biome. Meet with that group.
12. Share your biome information and brochures. Create a chart listing ten similarities and ten differences among the characteristics of each biome.
13. Turn your chart in to the Science tray. Place your brochure in the envelope with your biome's name on it which should now be below your biome ecosystem poster.
14. Click on the self evaluation link and print the worksheet. Complete the self evaluation worksheet.

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Criteria

Brochure

Each group member will create a brochure. All brochures must include the following:

• Name of biome
• Labelled map illustrating biome location(s)
• Landforms
• Animal life
• Plant life
• Climate
• Ecological concerns
• Conservation efforts
• Your perspective of the ecological concerns, conservation efforts and suggestions for further conservation efforts
• Your brochure must be edited and assembled in a neat, organized manner.

Poster

Your poster may be drawn and colored or made with cut and pasted pictures, but must include the following:

• Biome name
• Landforms
• Prevailing precipitation obvious
• Ten animals
• Ten plants

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Resources

• Internet Biome Links
• Encyclopedias
• Public library, classroom library collection
• School library - biome section
• Zoo Books
• Animal Profiles, Creative Classroom, 1994 selections
• Wildlife Cards, may order from Wildlife Fact File, P.O. Box 7264, Pasadena, CA 91109-7364
• Discover Science text, Scott Foresman

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Evaluation & Reflection (See Rubrics)

• Chart comparing similarities and differences among biomes
• Biome brochure
• Self evaluation - reflection

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Conclusion

You have now published a brochure about a geographical biome. You have an awareness about the ecological concerns and conservation efforts in that area. How did your biome compare to other biomes? What were the similarities and differences? What were the major ecological concerns in these areas? What is being done about the problems? How might you further the conservation efforts?

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Extension

You have learned about the ecological problems in your biome, as well as what conservation efforts are being made. Research and contact conservation organizations regarding how you might lead your class in furthering their efforts.

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