Biome Diorama Project Instructions/Rubric

What: Students will be creating their own diorama (a 3-dimensional model) of one of the major biomes of their choice! In addition to creating the diorama, additional research will need to be done to answer questions in a research packet (see rubric). MUCH of the research will be done in school and will help make sure that your diorama is an accurate depiction There are a couple additional options for this project that students may choose in lieu of a diorama listed at the bottom of the page. All other requirements on the rubric are the same. This will count as a test/project grade.

Where: Students will have time to research on the chrome books at school and explore books from our library as well as books that I checked out from the Brunswick Library to research and gather information about their biome. The research portion of this project will be completed at school. See the schedule outlined for each day. If the daily task is not completed at school, the remainder will become homework, which will be communicated on Progress Book. There will be a day designated for “catching up” on any portion that students may need more time on. The diorama will be completed at home, along with any part of the packet that was not completed in school. If any student needs additional time to explore the books or research online I can arrange time during recess next week.

When: We will be researching in school Wednesday 5/13– Wednesday 5/20.Additional research may need to be done at home. This project will be due Thursday 5/21. Students will present on this day. Please make arrangements to bring diorama to and from school on this day if necessary.

Why: To learn about ecosystems and compare plant and animal life in different biomes! Our “I Can” statement is: “I can explain how plants and animals interact and rely on each other in an ecosystem”

How: Please don’t break the bank on this project!! You should be able to find reasonably priced items for your diorama at Pat Catan’s, The Dollar Store, etc. Feel free to print off pictures from the Internet or draw pictures of your plants and animals as long as they are neat! (They should still be 3-D for a diorama) Contact me if you have any questions or need help/advice! 

Additional Options for Biome Project
Create an eye-catching poster that accurately represents the biome of your choice. You must include all elements on the rubric for the diorama- Essentially it is the same project only 2-dimensional. The poster must be filled completely (as all sides of the diorama do) and labeled. Students who choose this option will also complete the same research packet. / Create a tri-fold brochure (see me for template if necessary) that is informative and persuasive, informing the reader of all that your biome has to offer and why you should visit this biome. Again, all elements on the rubric for the diorama and research packet also apply! In choosing the brochure, you are choosing to write more rather than show a visual representation of your biome (you must still include small pictures or drawings)
10 points / 6 points / 0 points / Points Earned
Diorama / 1. Attractiveness & Creativity / Background is completely decorated. Diorama is neat, creative, and attractive / 3 sides of the background are decorated. Diorama is somewhat neat, creative, and attractive / Less than 3 sides of the background are decorated. Diorama is messy and disorganized
2. Accuracy of Flora (plants) / 5 plants from the area are accurately shown and classified / 3-4 of plants are shown accurately / Less than 3 plants are shown accurately
3. Accuracy of Fauna (animals) / 5 animals from the area are accurately shown and classified / 3-4 of animals are accurately shown and classified / Less than 3 animals are accurately shown and classified
4. Display of Title & labels / All animals and plants are labeled and title is shown / 3-4 plants and animals labeled / Less than 3 plants and animals labeled
Research/Packet / 5. Location/Map / Map is colored/labeled correctly and all questions about the region and map features are answered correctly / 6/10 of the map labeling/questions are answered correctly / Less than 6 of the map labeling/questions are answered correctly
6. Food Web / Accurately creates a food web including 5 animals and plants / Accurately creates food web including only 3-4 animals or plants / Completes a food web with less than 3 animals or plants OR does not complete a food web
7.Food Web Writing / Accurately describes which organism is hypothetically becoming “extinct” and how they think that would affect ALL other organisms in their food web using complete sentences and reasoning. / Describes which organism is hypothetically becoming “extinct”, but does not describe how they think that would affect ALL other organisms in their food web using complete sentences and reasoning. (Only includes 3-4 plants and animals OR description is not accurate). / Does not complete food web writing
8.Climate / Accurately describes climate (temperature, precipitation, abiotic factors, etc.) / Incorrectly describes climate OR only partially describes climate / Does not describe climate
9.Human Impact / Accurately discusses human impact on biome
. / Incorrectly discussed human impact on biome / Does not discuss human impact on biome
10. Presentation / Explained every part of biome project (all elements above) / Explained all but 1-2 parts of biome project / Presented biome project but missed 3 or more steps or did not present biome project
Notes: / Total Points
(100 points possible)

Research Schedule

Students will be given the full class time (85 minutes) to work on their research. I will be modeling research techniques on my smart board and providing assistance as needed. Students who do not finish the daily task will have to complete it at home in order to stay on track. Students are welcome to work ahead if they finish a task early. If students finish the research portion early, they may bring their materials to work on their diorama, poster, or brochure in class. Students who need extra time to research can have time arranged during recess.

Wednesday 5/13:Review biomes, explorebiome books and choose a biome to research!

Thursday 5/14: Begin researching Flora (plants) & Fauna (animals) and classifying each organism in two ways.

Friday 5/15: Make Food Web & complete Food Web Writing activity.

Weekend 5/16-5/17: Students can begin their diorama, poster, or brochure AS LONG AS they have completed the Flora & Fauna and Food Web portion of their research packet, so that they have accurate information to include in their diorama, poster, or brochure.

*Continue working on biome diorama/poster/brochure each night at home until the due date. If you are spending more than 20-30 minutes per night working on this project, contact me for assistance.

Monday 5/18: Location/Map AND Climate

Tuesday 5/19: Human Impact & Catch-up day

Wednesday 5/20: Catch-up day

Thursday 5/21: Projects are due! Presentations today 

**Make up presentations will take place Tuesday, May 26th.