| Square of Life: Deserts |
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| Project Overview Square of Life: Desert Biomes in an internet based and collaborative study of local desert environments in which students observe and share their findings with classes from other desert regions. This project will be used as a culmination activity to the unit on United States regions. Major Learning Objectives The students will be able to: * define an environment * record observations using the scientific method * classify/categorize organisms * identify specific characteristics of a desert biome * compare and contrast their desert community with other desert communities * locate the longitude/latitude of their school * use the internet to access real-time date web sites to find current and historical temperatures for a specific day * communicate findings via a final report to others Scottsdale Unified School District Social Studies Curriculum Standards 2.1.2 Understand community diversity 2.3.2 Demonstrate participation and cooperation 3.1.2 Use mapping skills 3.1.3 Locate regions 3.3.2 Interpret maps and globes 3.3.3 Locate important features of the United States Science Curriculum Standards 1.1.4 Draw conclusions based on experimental data 1.3.1 Organize data into an appropriate format 1.3.2 Construct a representation of data 1.3.3 Analyze and interpret data 1.7.1 Work in cooperative activities 1.8 Communicate observations and ideas 1.9.2 Record data in a log 4.1.2 Arrange organisms into a classification system 4.4.1 Describe components of an ecosystem |
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| Contact Information: |
| Pamela Harris |
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| Implementation Issues - This project will allow the students to work in pairs so as to utilize the expertise of the more "computer savvy" student. The teacher will need to survey the students' computer knowledge prior to the activity's introduction - For this project, we will be focusing on schools located within one or more of the four desert regions of North America. Because potential partner schools may be limited, the teacher should try to make arrangements well in advance of the project's start date. - This project promotes collaboration in the form of introduction and discussion (Discussion Area), submission of data (Submit Square Data), and publication of final reports. The teacher must adhere to his/her district's Acceptable Use Policy on file to ensure this collaboration is used responsibly and is appropriate for K-12 instruction. |
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