Ecosystems Webquest

Ecosystems

Ecosistemas

Ecosystems
World image from http://www.terraserver.com/posters/poster_details.asp?posterid=733

by Pam Albrecht, CIT and the 5th grade teachers of
Frances M. Rhodes Elementary
Northside Independent School District
San Antonio, Texas

Adapted by Arlene Jacob, Wanke CIT, for Wanke students

Conclusion

Introduction

-"As scientists, many of us have had profound experiences of awe and reverence before the universe. We understand that what is regarded as sacred is more likely to be treated with care and respect. Our planetary home should be so regarded. Efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment need to be infused with a vision of the sacred. At the same time, a much wider and deeper understanding of science and technology is needed. If we do not understand the problem, it is unlikely we will be able to fix it."- Carl Sagan.

Introducción

- "Como científicos, muchos de nosotros hemos tenido experiencias profundas de respeto y reverencia ante el universo. Entendemos que lo que se considera sagrado es más probable que sean tratados con cuidado y respeto. Nuestro hogar planetario debe ser considerado como tal. Salvaguardar y cuidar el medio ambiente deben ser infundido con una visión de lo sagrado. Al mismo tiempo, se necesita una comprensión mucho más amplia y profunda de la ciencia y la tecnología. Si no entendemos el problema, es poco probable que se podamos arreglarlo. "- Carl Sagan.

Our world is in danger- not from invading aliens or colliding comets, but from the consequences of our own irresponsible actions. It has been widely documented that our environment is warming, we are destroying the ecosystems around us and dirtying our water systems on which we depend. Obviously, there is a problem- but do we understand the delicate systems in which we live and how the destruction of even one of these can have irreversible effects.

Nuestro mundo está en peligro, no de extranjeros invasores o de los cometas que chocan, sino de las consecuencias de nuestras acciones irresponsables. Se ha documentado ampliamente que nuestro medio ambiente se está calentando, estamos destruyendo los ecosistemas que nos rodean y estamos ensuciando nuestros sistemas de agua de la que dependemos. Obviamente, hay un problema, pero de veras entendemos lo delicada que son los sistemas en la que vivimos y de cómo la destrucción de al menos uno de estos puede tener efectos irreversibles.

Task

"Ecosystems are dynamic interactions between plants, animals, and microorganisms and their environment working together as a functional unit. Ecosystems will fail if they do not remain in balance. No community can carry more organisms than its food, water, and shelter can accomodate. Food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena such as fire, disease, and the number of predators. Each organism has its own niche, or role, to play."*

* From http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/ecosystems.htm

Misión
"Los ecosistemas son interacciones dinámicas entre las plantas, animales y microorganismos y su medio ambiente trabajando juntos como una unidad funcional. Los ecosistemas fallarán si no se mantienen en equilibrio. Ninguna comunidad puede llevar más que sus organismos de alimentos, agua y refugio que pueda alojar. El alimento y el territorio son a menudo compensados por los fenómenos naturales tales como incendios, enfermedades y el número de depredadores. Cada organismo tiene su propio nicho, o el papel que juega. "*

Your task will be to research an ecosystem of the world and develop a presentation describing its inhabitants, subsystems, and the balances between them. You are also charged with explaining the importance of your particular ecosystem in the world system.

Tu misión será la investigación de un ecosistema del mundo y desarrollar una presentación describiendo sus habitantes, los subsistemas, los ciclos y los equilibrios entre ellos. También se espera que expliques la importancia de tu ecosistema en el sistema mundial.

Process

Part 1- Research

Step 1:Each student will choose an ecosystem from the following list:

Pond, Desert, Woodland Forest, Oceans, Marsh Wetlands, Rainforest
(Grasslands, Tundra, and Taiga are optional- see * sources)

Step 2: Students will come to the computer lab to research: Adaptations and Niches,
Ecosystem Description, Comparison of life cycles of plants and animals, and Food Webs and Food Chains within one Ecosystem.

Proceso

Parte 1- Estudio
Paso 1: Cada alumno elige un ecosistema de la siguiente lista:

Estanque, Desierto, Bosque forestal, Océanos, Los Humedales del pantano, Selva
(Prados, Tundra y Taiga son opcional – mira las * Fuentes)

Paso 2: Después de completar la parte del salón de la unidad, los estudiantes irán a la sala de computadoras: Adaptaciones y Nichos, Descripción de Ecosistema,
Comparación de los ciclos de vida de las plantas y animales, Redes Alimentarias y Cadena Alimentaria

Adaptations and Niches:

Choose 4 plants and 4 animals within your ecosystem and describe their adaptations and Niches. Don't forget to list the source number for each that you used. Use the attached organizer to manage your information. (At Wanke these are in the Wanke Lab Shortcuts folder/5th grade/Ecosystems.)

Adaptaciones y Nichos:

Elije 4 plantas y 4 animales dentro de tu ecosistema y describe sus adaptaciones y nichos. Los recursos siguientes están disponibles para tu uso. No se te olvide anotar el número del recurso para cada uno que utilices. Usa el organizador adjuntado para administrar tu información.(En Wanke, estos se encuentran Wanke Lab Shortcuts folder/5th/Ecosistemas).

Ecosystem Description

Use the websites and books to find a description of your ecosystem and to find where this ecosystem is found throughout the world. Print this organizer to manage your description information.(At Wanke these are in the Wanke Lab Shortcuts Folder/5th grade/Ecosystems.) Don't forget to record the source number of your information. Open the map template and color in the location of your ecosystem. (Remember you will have to draw in a complete closed shape within your continent to be able to fill it.)

Descripción del Ecosistema y Ciclos:

Utilice los siguientes sitios de red para encontrar una descripción de tu ecosistema y para encontrar donde se encuentra en el mundo. Imprime el organizador para anotar la información. (En Wanke, se encuentra en Wanke Lab Shortcuts Folder/5th /Ecosistemas). No olvides de registrar el número de la fuente de donde obtuviste la información. Utiliza el mapa y el sombrea la ubicación de tu ecosistema.

Comparison of Life Cycles of Plants and Animals:

Use websites and printed material to compare the life cycle of an animal and a plant within your ecosystem. Use the attached Venn Diagram to organize your information. (At Wanke these are in the Wanke Lab Shortcuts Folder/5th grade/Ecosystems.)

Comparación de los ciclos vitales de plantas y animales:

Utiliza los siguientes sitios de red y los libros para comparar el ciclo de vida de un animal y una planta dentro de su ecosistema. Usa el Diagrama de Venn para organizar tu información. (En Wanke se encuentran en Wanke Lab Shortcuts Folder//5th /Ecosistemas).

Food Webs and Food Chains:

Use websites and printed material to create both a food web and 2 food chains that can be found within your ecosystem. Use the attached powerpoint to design your own using clip art of animals and plants in your ecosystem.

Redes Alimentarias y Cadena Alimentaria:

Utilice los siguientes sitios de red y / o libros para crear tanto una red de alimentos y 2 cadenas de comida que se puedan encontrar dentro de tu ecosistema. Usa KidPix para diseñar tu red y cadena alimentria de animales y plantas en tu ecosistema.

Use the following books for your research.

Source #	Reference Material
	Tundra
1	Baldwin, Carol. Living in the Tundra. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2004.
3	George, Michael. The Barren Wilderness: Tundra. Minnesota: Creative Education, 2002.
4	Gray, Susan H. Tundra. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books, 2001.
9	Johansson, Philip. The Frozen Tundra: A Web of Life. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, 2004.
10	Johnson, Rebecca L. A Walk in the Tundra. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2001.
11	Morgan, Sally. Extreme Survival: Polar Regions. Chicago: Raintree, 2004.
12	Silver, Donald M. One Small Square: Arctic Tundra. New York: Learning Triangle Press, 1994.
14	Stone, Lynn M. Tundra: Biomes of North America. Vero Beach: Rourke Publishing, 2004.
63	Marsico, Katie. A Home on the Tundra. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.

	Ocean
6	Hooper, Rosanne. Life on the Coastlines. Chicago: World Book, 2001.
7	Hooper, Rosanne. Life in the Coastlines. Princeton: Two-Can Publishing, 2000.
8	Hooper, Rosanne. Life on the Islands. Chicago: World Book, 2005.
44	Nadeau, Isaac. Food Chains in a Tide Pool Habitat. New York: PowerKids Press,2002.
45	Arnold, Caroline. A Walk on the Great Barrier Reef. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 1988.
46	Baker, Lucy. Life in the Oceans.Chicago: World Book, 2001.
47	Baker, Lucy. Life in the Oceans. Minnesota: Two-Can Publishing, 1997.
48	Kalman, Bobbie and Aloian, Molly. Polar Oceans. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2003.
49	Reid, Greg. Oceans. Philadelphia: Chelsea Clubhouse, 2004.
50	Rhodes, Mary Jo and Hall, David. Life in a Kelp Forest. New York: Children’s Press, 2005.
51	Smithyman, Kathryn and Kalman, Bobbie. The Ocean Biome. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2003.
65	Stone, Lynn M. Oceans: Biomes of North America. Florida: Rourke Publishing, 2004.
66	Taylor-Butler, Christine. A Home in the Coral Reef. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.
79	Lindeen, Carol K. Life in an Ocean. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.
93	Blaxland, Beth. Sea Shores. Pennsylvania: Chelsea House Publishing, 2000.
94	Wilkes, Angela. Seashore. Boston: Kingfisher, 2001.
97	Kosek, Jane. What’s Inside the Ocean? New York: Power Kids Press, 1999.
98	Cole, Melissa. Coral Reefs. San Diego: Thomson Gale, 2004.
95	Cerullo, Mary M. Life Under Ice. Maine: Tilbury House, 2003.

	Desert
15	Baldwin, Carol. Living in a Desert. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003.
16	Baker, Lucy. Life in the Deserts. Chicago: World Book, 2001.
17	Cole, Melissa. Deserts. San Diego: Thomson, 2003.
18	Gray, Susan H. Deserts. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books, 2001.
19	Guiberson, Brenda Z. Cactus Hotel. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1991.
20	Johnson, Rebecca L. A Walk in the Desert. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2001.
21	Johansson, Philip. The Dry Desert. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, 2004.
22	Reid, Greg. Deserts. Philadelphia: Chelsea Clubhouse, 2004.
23	Silver, Donald M. One Small Square: Cactus. New York: Learning Triangle Press, 1995.
24	Spilsbury, Richard and Louise. Desert Food Chains. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2005.
25	Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus Gets All Dressed Up: A Book About Deserts. New York: Scholastic, 1996.
61	Nichols, Catherine. A Dry Place. New York: Benchmark Books, 2003.
68	Pallotta, Jerry. The Desert Alphabet Book. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge, 1994.
75	Salzmann, Mary E. In the Desert. Minnesota: Abdo, 2001.
76	Lindeen, Carol K. Life in a Desert. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.
80	Rivera, Sheila. Desert. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2005.
81	Townsend, John. Would You Survive? Chicago: Raintree, 2006.
87	Ring, Elizabeth. Drylands. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005.
88	Wilkins, Sally. Deserts. Minnesota: Bridgestone Books, 2001.

	Pond
28	Pallotta, Jerry. The Freshwater Alphabet Book. Massachusetts: Charlesbridge, 1996.
30	Toupin, Laurie. Freshwater Habitats: Life in Freshwater Ecosystems. New York: Watts Library, 2004.
31	Parker, Steve. Eyewitness: Pond and River. London: DK Publishing, 1998.
34	Kallen, Stuart A. Life in a Pond. San Diego: Thomson Gale, 2004.
36	Nadeau, Isaac. Food chains in a Pond Habitat. New York: PowerKids Press, 2002.
39	Pratt-Serafini, Kristin Joy. Salamander Rain: A Lake and Pond Journal. California: Dawn Publications, 2000.
77	Lindeen, Carol K. Life in a Pond. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.

	Wetlands
38	Kalman, Bobbie and Bishop, Amanda. What are Wetlands? New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2003.
40	Rotter, Charles. A Vanishing Resource: Wetlands. Minnesota: Creative Education, 2002.
41	Silver, Donald M. One Small Square: Swamp. New York: Learning Triangle Press, 1997.
42	Stille, Darlene R. Wetlands. New York: Children’s Press, 1999.
43	Blaxland, Beth. Mangroves. Pennsylvania: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000.
64	Nichols, Cathrine. Wetlands. New York: Benchmark Books, 2003.
67	Lion, David C. A Home in the Swamp. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.
78	Lindeen Carol K. Life in a Wetland. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.
91	Richardson, Adele D. Wetlands. Minnesota: Bridgestone Books, 2001.
92	Ring, Elizabeth. Wetlands. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005.

	Forest
54	Hughes, Monica. What is a Forest? Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2005.
55	Kalman, Bobbie. A Forest Habitat. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2007.
70	Salzmann, Mary E. In the Forest. Minnesota: Abdo, 2001.
71	Lindeen, Carol K. Life in the Forest. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.
82	Ganeri, Anita. Forests. USA: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2002.
83	Wilkins, Sally. Temperate Forests. Minnesota: Bridgestone Books, 2001.

	Rainforest
56	Nichols, Catherine. In the Rainforest. New York: Benchmark Books, 2003.
57	Taylor-Butler, Christine. A Home in the Rain Forest. NewYork: Children’s Press, 2007.
74	Lindeen, Carol K. Life in a Rain Forest. Minnesota: Capstone Press, 2004.
84	Greenwood, Elinor. Rainforest. London: DK, 2001.
85	Richardson, Adele D. Rain Forests. Minnesota: Bridgestone Books, 2001.
86	Williams, Judith. Rain Forest Treetops. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, 2004.

	Miscellaneous Books
2	Baldwin, Carol. Living on a Mountain. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2004.
26	Baldwin, Carol. Living by a River. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003.
27	Lynch, Emma. Food Webs: River Food Chains. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2005.
29	Pascoe, Elaine. The Ecosystem of a Stream. New York: PowerKids Press, 2003.
32	Jackson, Kay. Life in a Freshwater Lake. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006.
33	Johnson, Rebecca L. A Journey into a Lake. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2004.
35	Kosek, Jane Kelly. What’s Inside Lakes? New York: PowerKids Press, 1999.
37	Arnosky, Jim. The Brook Book: Exploring te Smallest Streams. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2008.
52	Donnelly, Karen. Biomes of the Past and the Future. New York: PowerKids Press, 2003.
53	Richardson, Gillian. Species, Spaces, and Relationships. Chicago: Raintree, 2004.
58	Labella, Susan. A Home on the Savanna. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.
59	Lion, David C. A Home on the Prairie. New York: Children’s Press, 2007.
60	Nichols, Catherine. Grassy Lands. New York: Benchmark Books, 2003.
62	Stone, Lynn M. Grasslands: Biomes of North America. Florida: Rourke Publishing, 2004.
72	Salzmann, Mary E. On the Prairie. Minnesota: Abdo, 2001.
73	Salzmann, Mary E. On a Mountain. Minnesota: Abdo, 2001.
89	Ampt, Peter. Fresh Water. Pennsylvania: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000.
90	Ring, Elizabeth. Inland Waters. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005.
96	Dalgleish, Sharon. Hidden World. Pennsylvania: Mason Crest Publishers, 2003.

Use the following websites for your research.

Source Number	Ecosystem Description Websites
1W	Benders-Hyde, Elisabeth M. “Grasslands.” 14 Nov. 2007. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm>
2W	Benders-Hyde, Elisabeth M. “Taiga.” 14 Nov. 2007. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.htm>
3W	Benders-Hyde, Elisabeth M. “Tundra.” 14 Nov. 2007. <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm>
4W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Desert” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/desert/index.htm>
5W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Grasslands.” 14 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/grasslnd/index.htm >
6W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Ponds And Lakes” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/lakes/index.htm>
7W	Missouri Botanical lGarden. “Rainforest” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm>
8W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Taiga.” 14 Nov. 2007. http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/index.htm
9W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Temperate Deciduous Forests,” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/temp/index.htm>
10W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Temperate Oceans.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/oceans/index.htm
11W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Tundra.” 14 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/tundra/index.htm>
12W	Missouri Botanical Garden. “Wetlands.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/wetlands/index.htm>
13W	Windows to the Universe. “Oceans and Seas.” 08 Nov. 2007. < http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/ocean.html&edu=elem>.
14W	Windows to the Universe. “Temperate Forest Ecosystem.” 08 Nov. 2007.< http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/forest_eco.html&edu=elem>
15W	Windows to the Universe. “The Desert Ecosystem.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/desert_eco.html&edu=elem>
16W	Windows to the Universe. “The Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem” 8 Nov. 2007.<http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/rainforest.html&edu=elem>.

17W	Biomas Planetas y Ecosistemas http://ecoplanet.nireblog.com/post/2007/09/27/biomas
18W	Adaptaciones de las Plantas http://www.botanical-online.com/hojasadaptaciones.htm
19W	Adaptaciones de los Mamíferos http://www.botanical-online.com/animales/adaptacionestemperaturamamiferos.htm
20W	Adaptaciones http://www.geocities.com/ludguimx/mamifadap.html
21W	Las adaptaciones de los organismos al ambiente http://www.encuentro.gov.ar/Content.aspx?Id=715
22W	Los Biomas del Mundo http://www.jmarcano.com/nociones/bioma/index.html
23W	Nicho Ecológico http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicho_ecol%C3%B3gico
Source Number	Comparison: Life Cycle of Plants & Animals Websites
24W	Birmingham Grid for Learning. “The Life Cycle of Plants.” 08 Nov. 2007.<http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client _ftp/ks2/science/plants_pt2/>
25W	Enchanted Learning, “Growing and Changing.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/general/growingchanging/>
26W	Enchanted Learning. “Life Cycles.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/lifecycles.shtml>
27W	Fossweb. “Structures of Life.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/StructuresofLife/index.html>
28W	Growing Minds. “What is the Life Cycle of a Plant?” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://arboretum.fullerton.edu/grow/primer/cycle.asp>
29W	Kids Konnect. “Life Cycles.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/87/27/>
30W	MacKenzie, Paul. “Life Cycles.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://elephant.elehost.com/About_Elephants/Life_Cycles/life_ cycles.html>
31W	Teams Educational Resources. “Cycles of Life.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/classrooms/judi/life/activities/cycles/life_cycles.html>
32W	Utah Education Network. “Life Cycles of Animals.” 08 Nov. 2007. <http://www.uen.org/themepark/cycles/animal.shtml>
33W	Enchanted Learning. "Deserts." 13 Nov. 2007. <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/desert/desert.shtml>
34W	Yarra Valley Water. “Life in a Pond.” 15 Nov. 2007. <http://www.yvw.com.au/waterschool/juniors.html>

35W

Biomas

http://www.sagan-gea.org/hojared_biodiversidad/paginas/hoja1.html

36W

Biomas terrestres

http://jmarcano.topcities.com/beginner/biomas/biomas2.html

37W

Biomas y Ecosistemas

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/ecosystems.sp.html&text=t

38W

Biomas del Mundo: Clasificación

http://www.members.tripod.com/bioclub/pag5002.htm

39W

Biomas del Mundo

http://www.portalplanetasedna.com.ar/ecologia3.htm

40W

Todoambiente

http://www.ubp.edu.ar/todoambiente/ninios/bioma.htm

41W

Biomas terrestres http://www.tecnun.es/Asignaturas/Ecologia/Hipertexto/05PrinEcos/120BiomTer.htm

42W

Los ecosistemas

http://www.barrameda.com.ar/ecologia/ecosistem.htm

43W

Conozcamos los Ecosistemas http://members.fortunecity.com/jojoel99/biologia/ecologia.html

44W

Tundra ártica-Windows to the Universe http://www.windows.ucar.edu/earth/polar/arctic_tundra.sp.html

Source Number

Food Web and Food Chains Websites

45W

Harcourt School Publishers. “Food Web-Pond Activity.” 08 Nov. 2007.
< http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/pond_activity.html>

46W

Meng, Alan and Hui. “Food Chains and Webs.” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm>

47W

Science Bob. “Food Web and Food Chain.” 08 Nov. 2007.
< http://www.sciencebob.com/lab/q-web-chain.html>

48W

Viau, Elizabeth Anne. “A Food Web in the Deciduous Forest Biome.”
08 Nov. 2007.
<http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/biomes/
deciduous/decweb.html>

49W

Viau, Elizabeth Anne. “Desert Food Web.” 08 Nov. 2007
< http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/
biomes/desert/hot-desert-chain.html>

50W

Viau, Elizabeth Anne. “Rain Forest Food Web” 08 Nov. 2007
< http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/biomes/
rainforest/temp_rain/tempweb.html>

51W

Ward, Paul. “Whales and Food Webs.” 08 Nov. 2007.
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/whales/
food%20web.htm

52W

Birmingham Grid for Learning. “The Life Cycle of Plants.” 08 Nov. 2007.<http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client
_ftp/ks2/science/plants_pt2/

53W

Enchanted Learning, “Growing and Changing.” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://www.enchantedlearning.com/books/general/growingchanging/>

54W

Enchanted Learning. “Life Cycles.” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/lifecycles.shtml>

55W

Fossweb. “Structures of Life.” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/StructuresofLife/index.html>

56W

Growing Minds. “What is the Life Cycle of a Plant?” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://arboretum.fullerton.edu/grow/primer/cycle.asp

57W

Kids Konnect. “Life Cycles.” 08 Nov. 2007.
<http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/87/27/

58W

El ciclo de vida de una rana.
http://www.simplyscience.com/pdf/life/slipbooks/L1lifesp.pdf

59W

El ciclo de vida de una rana.

http://www.weeklyreader.com/pdfs/WR2MarSpanEng08.pdf

60W

Partes de las Plantas
http://www.botanical-online.com/partesdelasplantas.htm

61W

Ciclo de vida de un Angiosperma.

http://www.biologia.edu.ar/animaciones/temas/ciclos/germinacion2.html

62W

msn Encarta: Ciclo de vida http://es.encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=ciclo+de+vida+de+plantas

63W

Waterwatch Adelaide. “Wetland Food Web.” 08 Nov. 2007.
http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/KWC/section5/5-05.htm

64W

Map of Continents

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Games/GeographyGames/Copycat

Students may use their own notes as a resource (in their science journal) or textbook. Use the following entry to credit your sources:

Source Number	Credits
SJ	Last name (student), First name. Science Journal, Unpublished, 2007.
TXT	Frank, Marjorie Slavick, et al. "Harcourt Science (5th Grade.)" Dallas, TX: Harcourt School Publishers, 2000, pp 60-120. (Textbook)

Harás tu investigación utilizando los siguientes recursos:
Los estudiantes pueden utilizar sus propias notas (en su cuaderno científico.) Para dar crédito, utiliza la siguiente entrada:

Número del Recurso	Creditos
SJ	Apellido (alumno(a)), Primer Nombre. Cuaderno Científico, No publicado, 2007.
TXT	Frank, Marjorie Slavick, et al. "Harcourt Science (5th Grade.)" Dallas, TX: Harcourt School Publishers, 2000, pp 60-120. (Textbook)

Part 2- Creating the Presentation

Choice of products:
(All the products embody these intelligences: Naturalist, Visual Spatial, Verbal Linguistic,Logical Mathematic,Intrapersonal, Bodiley Kinesthetic. Additions for others are found below.)

1. Non-linear PowerPoint with invisible buttons.

ecosystem sample

2. Eyewitness News Account from the Ecosystem using PhotoStory

EyewitnessNewsAccountSample
How to superimpose your picture over a photo

3. Create a Voicethread with images and voice comments.

On each you should organize your presentation according to the questions that you researched. (Verbal Linguistic) (ST)
Make a "rough draft" by making a slide/section of the project for each question. (NT)
Don't forget your final section/slide must include why this ecosystem is important to us and the world's inhabitantsl.(Verbal Linguistic)(Existentialist)(Naturalist)(NF)

You may choose to….

.Add clipart/photos or drawings to your presentation to make it more visually appealing (Visual/Spatial)
Add music or sounds to enhance your presentation (Music/Rhythmic)
Use graphs, charts, maps, and diagrams that you have found or made to emphasize specific points or systems or to organize your information(Logical/Mathematical)
See resources below for templates or samples.
Utilize information you learned on by interviewing a veternarian or other life science professional or environmental activist. (Naturalist.) See Mrs. Jacob for how to "cite" this source.
Add a slide/section to show changes over time to your ecosystem (Naturalist)
Use your own motion paths or even create your own for the entrances of your clip art or photos (Multimedia project only) (Bodily/Kinesthetic)
Add a peer editing component to check for completion before turning in project. Use this Peer Evaluation Checklist. (Interpersonal)

Before giving your presentation, use the self check evaluation to make sure you are done.

Part 3- Presentations

Students will present their findings to their class. During presentations, students will keep notes on an organizer on each of the ecosystems to be used as study sheets later. At the end of the presentation, students will score presentation using a peer rubric.

Evaluation

In addition to the Self Check evaluation and Peer Project evaluation, your teacher will be evaluating your project from your presentation. She will use one of the rubrics below:

Technology Project Rubric

It is also beneficial for you to evaluate the whole research process to determine things you have learned from the whole research process. To do that you need to use the attached self evaluation of the research process.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have just helped your Earth by finding a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between the ecosystems, their systems, and inhabitants. Because the very existence of our planet depends upon the knowledge and actions of its inhabitants, the more you understand about its workings, the more likely you are to help in needed solutions to environmental issues.

Credits:
Thanks to the following sites for:

Clip Art
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/whalehumpback.html
http://www.brooks-photo.com/Wildlife/wl9.htm
http://home.globalcrossing.net/~brendel/jaguar.html
http://www.turtles.org/dive.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/snowleopard/
http://www.white-tigers.org/
http://www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org/home_e.html
http://www.terraserver.com/posters/poster_details.asp?posterid=733