Biology In ActionWorld Biome WebQuest

10th grade

Written by Joe Cicero and Carolyn Madzar
Introduction | Task |  Process | Learning Advice | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion


Introduction
Imagine living in a Rainforest where it rains 33 feet a year...How about living in a desert where it rains less than 10 inches...

As large as our world is, there are only five major environmental communities.
Each community has distinctly different living and nonliving factors.
These communities are called BIOMES.

The five major biomes are Desert, Grassland, Tundra, Forest, and Aquatic.


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Task
Your quest is to present a solution to an existing environmental problem in your biome.
During this WebQuest you will: Once the research is complete, you will:
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Process
Visit the links in the Introduction and Resources section of this WebQuest.
  1. Place your hand in a hat and select a specific location in the world.
  2. Investigate the listed biomes above and determine the biome of your specific location
  3. Gather data on the characteristics of your biome
  4. Describe the abiotic factors
  5. List, describe, classify and discuss the importance of the biotic factors
  6. Describe the typical food pyramid in your biome
  7. State 1 or 2 environmental concerns in your biome

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Learning Advice
Don't hurry when researching your biome. Be careful to select the correct biome BEFORE you start your research. It might be best to use colored index cards. Select one color for each task. You may also printout the data and read it later. Feel free to use the INSERT method when reading the material.
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Resources
Follow these three steps to discover the inner secrets of your biome.
  1. Search the World Atlas to locate your designated location.
    Note any abiotic factors such as climate, landforms, temperature, rainfall and topography.
  2. Now that you know where your location is, find it using the Biome World Map to determine the biome.
    Some of the biomes have unusual names. For example, after reading about the Savannah Biome, you will realize
    that it belongs with the Grassland Biome.

  3. Learn more about your biome by visiting these biomes sites.

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Evaluation
This rubric will be used to grade your project.
Use the following criteria as you write your paper, create your posters and prepare for your presentation. Your grade is in your hands.
10-8 Points 7-5 Points 4-2 Points 1-0 Points
Paper 5 pages typed and double-spaced, Use formal research paper format, 5+ sources, All 5 Process steps(2-7) have been addressed in the paper 4-5 pages typed and double-spaced, Use formal research paper format, 4 sources, 4 Process steps addressed 2-3 pages typed and double-spaced, Use formal research paper format, 3 sources, 3 Process steps addressed 2 or less sources or 2 or less pages typed and double-spaced
Poster Two neat posters with correct information as stated in Task section One neat poster with correct information as stated in Task section Incomplete poster(s) No poster
Presentation Professional- Includes Process steps 3-6 in detail, great use of note cards and posters Interesting - Includes Process steps 3-6 in general, good use of note cards and poster(s) Minimum - Includes some Process steps 3-6, Use of note cards, no posters No preparation
Grading Scale A 30-25 B 24-19 C 18-9 D 8-0

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Conclusion
Imagine how different the United States would be if it was all Grassland.
How would travel be different?
How would your life be different?
How would your beliefs be different?
How would you change if you moved from the rainforest to a desert?


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Last updated December 6, 2004