1. An exploration of Earth’s Major Biomes and their Biotic and Abiotic Characteristics Mrs. Molloy’s 6 th Grade Science Class

2.  Describe Earth’s unique surfaces (biomes) and describe the biotic and abiotic factors of each one.  Identify adaptations of plants in specific biomes.  Explain how certain adaptations help plants survive in specific biomes

3.  Students will be divided by Mrs. Molloy into nine teams.  Day 1 - Each team will research a specific biome.  Day 2 – Each team will put together a PowerPoint presentation.  Day 3 - Each team will put together a PowerPoint presentation.  Day 4 – Each team will present their presentation to the class.  Day 5 – Major Unit Test (open note) on Biomes  Each team will be assigned a biome

4.  All days  Reference materials – Mrs. Molloy provides  Pencil and Science Notebook – student brings  Websites – Mrs. Molloy provides  Days 1, 2, and 3  Computers – Mrs. Molloy provides  Day 4  Mrs. Molloy’s Computer and SMART Board for presentation  Send finished presentation slides to smolloy@wcpss.netsmolloy@wcpss.net  In title put Period and biome (Per 1 Tundra)

5.  Project Grade  + 5 to +6 – 105  + 1 to + 4 – 100  1 – 93  - 1– 85  < - 1 – 77

6.  Period 2:  Tropical Rainforest – Chris, Deon  Freshwater – Erik, Ana, Alex  Desert – Daniel, Donovan, Carlos  Marine – Liam, Taylor, Matthew  Savanna - Amber, Owen, Errol  Temperate Grassland – Logan, Kaitlyn, Eric  Tundra – Tatiana, Kourtney, Armaiyah  Taiga – Evan, Zach  Deciduous Forest – Megan, Sam, Rebecca  Tropical Dry Forest – Mrs. Molloy (example)

7.  Period 3:  Tropical Rainforest – Maimuna, Brielle, Hanna  Freshwater – Logan, Rianna, Adam, Jessica  Desert – Khaleel, Dante, Marshall  Marine – Leo, Owen, Chris G  Savanna – Jarrell, Tyler, Marcus  Temperate Grassland – Mya, Maddy, Roger, Jackson  Tundra – Yaneli, Loki, Alejandra  Taiga – Haley S, Haley L, Ryan  Deciduous Forest – Kayla, Max, Ellie  Tropical Dry Forest – Mrs. Molloy (example)

8.  Period 5:  Tropical Rainforest  Freshwater  Desert  Marine  Savanna  Temperate Grassland  Tundra  Taiga  Deciduous Forest  Tropical Dry Forest – Mrs. Molloy (example)

9.  Period 6:  Tropical Rainforest  Freshwater  Desert  Marine  Savanna  Temperate Grassland  Tundra  Taiga  Deciduous Forest  Tropical Dry Forest – Mrs. Molloy (example)

10.  Description of the biome  3 facts  Must include 1 fact about plant adaptation  Locations where found  Continents, Countries, or States  Abiotic factors  Rainfall information  Temperature  Biotic factors  Animal examples  Plant examples  Plant adaptations – must include 3

11.  References – 3 reputable resources  Pictures  Map of locations  2 pictures of plants  2 pictures of animals  Each area will get  +1 = exceeded expectations  1 = met expectations  -1 = below expectations

12.  Tropical Dry Forest  tropical areas that are warm year-round, but have very little rainfall  Have a rainy season and a dry season  Plants have to adapt to having very little water for 6 months  Location: Africa, northern Australia, South America, India, Costa Rica, Mexico  Wet and dry seasons last about 6 months each  Average temperature is 30-degrees Celsius (86-degrees F)

13.  Example Plants: Acacia Tree, cacti, Indio Desnuda Tree  Example Animals: giraffe, scorpion, white rhino  Plant Adaptations:  During the dry season plants must think of creative ways to search for water  Plants may have deep roots to go far underground to reach sources of water  Plants will shed their leaves to reduce their water loss (through transpiration) during the dry season  Resources:  https://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/tropdry.htm https://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/tropdry.htm  http://traveltips.usatoday.com/types-plants-animals-tropical-dry-forest-61382.html http://traveltips.usatoday.com/types-plants-animals-tropical-dry-forest-61382.html  Environment, 3 rd Edition, (2008) WithGott, J. & Brennan, S.