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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Biome Plant Life

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Biome Plant Life

An 8th Grade STEM Lesson

Jennifer Cooke

March 2023

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Notes for Teachers

Context: This lesson takes place in a digital classroom for one period.
This lesson can be adapted for synchronous or asynchronous instruction.
Students must be fluent in the use of Google classroom, saving local files and using the internet.
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
Creative construction of their local biomes should be encouraged.
Use students’ personal OWL observations to prompt discussion on growth patterns and the impacts of weather.
This is the 1st of 4 lessons in the series. The links to the other lessons are in the Speaker Notes below.

List of Materials

Virtual Project (linked)
Chromebook, laptop or tablet (one per student)
Reliable internet connection
3D goggles (optional)
Google Classroom (pre-made by teacher, with resources linked)

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Selected Web Resources

Virtual 3D Biome Tours Ask A Biologist: Virtual Biomes | SciTech Institute
Desert Biome Desert Biome VR 360
Rainforest Biome Rainforest Biome VR 360
Padlet Padlet

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AZ Standards

Earth & Space Science:

8.E1U3.7 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about data and historical patterns to predict natural hazards and other geological events.

8.E1U3.8 Construct and support an argument about how human consumption of limited resources impacts the biosphere.

Ed Technology:

6-8.1.b. Students identify and begin to develop online networks of experts and peers to customize their learning environments in accordance with school policy.

6-8.3.c. Students locate and collect a variety of resources and organize information to make meaningful connections.

6-8.7.a. Students use digital tools to interact with others to develop a richer understanding of different perspectives and cultures.

6-8.7.c. Students perform a variety of roles within a team, using age-appropriate technology to complete a project or solve a problem.

6-8.6.b. Students create original works or responsibly repurpose digital resources into new creative works.

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Objective(s):

Today we will explore how biomes differ in different parts of the globe.

Today we will identify differences between biomes.

Today we will collaborate with our peers to gather environmental science data.

Today we will describe local plant and tree life.

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Agenda (55 minutes)

Virtual 3D tours of a desert and rainforest biome (15 min)

Collect data by OWL charts (15 min)

Discussion of OWL charts (10 min)

Create your own virtual biome (15 min)

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What Plants Grow in a Desert Biome?

Intro/Anticipatory Set/Opening

Students take a virtual 3D tour of a desert biome to see what types of plants grow within it. Allow about 5 minutes for individuals to complete their own OWL. Suggest pairing it with an OWL - Observe - Wonder - Learn activity. Do as whole-group or small-group. Do virtually using Padlet or Jamboard.

Desert Biome VR 360

How are the plants different than in other biomes?
What would you expect to be the biggest challenges for plants that live in the desert?

Desert Biome VR 360 | ASU

How to use: There are three ways to view each biome. You can use a computer and click and drag to look around. You can also use your smartphone like an iPhone or Android with their gyroscope enabled function to look into each biome. In this mode you can move the phone around as you to look into the biome. Finally, if you have Virtual Reality (VR) goggles like Google Cardboard, you can immerse yourself into each biome. Be sure to stand up and turn and look around to view all of the space.

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What Plants Grow in a Rainforest Biome?

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Personal OWL

On your virtual project, take several minutes to Observe, Wonder and Learn related to the desert and rainforest biome.

As you go, be ready to answer these questions:

How are the plants different than in other biomes?
What do you expect are the biggest challenges to plants that grow in this biome?

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Collaborate OWL Chart

In your small group, use this Padlet to record your OWLs.

As you go, be ready to answer these questions:

How are the plants different than in other biomes?
What do you expect are the biggest challenges to plants that grow in this biome?

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Assessment Task: Make Your Local Biome

Look out the window; what is your landscape?

What types of plants and trees are common here?

What do you think are the biggest challenges to plants that grow in your biome?

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Differentiation

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to offer students search phrases when researching images for their biome. This can help students who struggle with the language.

Another option is to provide a set of key search phrases that describe your local biome. In this case, use specific words like “plant”, “tree” to differentiate results.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students who are successful in quickly constructing their local biome should extend their knowledge by considering these impacts:

If the precipitation in your area increased, would this have a positive or negative impact on local plant life?
What if precipitation decreased?
Predict these effects.