Aquatic Biomes - Activity

Here's another WebQuest for you to complete. This one covers the aquatic (freshwater and marine) biomes.
Just like the last WebQuest activity, you will use the link below to get to the WebQuest and then follow the directions once you are there. All of the activities and links you need are in the WebQuest. This WebQuest contains a lab project. The materials you will need are shown below and the procedure for the lab can be found in the Process section of the WebQuest.

Aquatic Biomes WebQuest

Once you are done, you will find some questions in the Task section of the WebQuest. Please come back into this blog post and write your answers in the Comments section of the blog post. You do not need to respond to any of your classmates for this assignment.

Materials you will need:
**You will need an adult helper for this activity**
Scissors
Empty 2-liter plastic soda bottle (give it a good rinse before you use it. Ask an adult to cut the label off for you)
Aluminum foil
Pipe cleaner
A rock or pebble
Tap water
Ruler
2 round plastic fishing corks (these may contain lead so be sure to wash your hands immediately after handling them)
This assignment is worth 10 points.

References
Jacobs, S. (n.d.). Whale tail [Clip art]. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.orcahome.de/orcapici.htm

Simcox, G. (2008). Aquatic biomes WebQuest. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://teacherweb.com/WQ/ElementarySchool/Aquatic_Biomes/

Rain Forests - Activity

Before you begin, if you can find the book The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry at your local library, I highly recommend that you read it. This is a beautifully-illustrated book that tells the story of the animals who live in a rain forest and their quest to save their tree habitat.

Our hands-on project also relates to this book. In the book, the tree porcupines tell Senhor that the trees produce oxygen. This lab will help you see how plants are able to do this.

Click below to watch a short video showing how this lab should be set up.



Make sure you have adult permission to use a house plant for this experiment. Your adult helper can help you choose an appropriate plant for you to use.
Take care not to crush the leaves of the plant during this experiment.

Materials you will need:
1 clear plastic bag (a produce bag works well)
1 potted leafy plant
1 twist tie
Water

Procedure:
1) Carefully place the plastic bag around part of the plant so that some leaves are enclosed in the bag. Remember, try not to squash the leaves. Use the twist tie to seal the bag tightly to the stem.


2) Water the plant as usual. Place it in a sunny spot.

3) The next day, check the inside of the bag. What happened?

Explanation:
This lab models evapo-transpiration. Evapo-transpiration is the process by which water (containing oxygen) is released from the tiny pores (holes) of a leaf to enter the atmosphere. The water that was released from the leaves of your plant has been trapped inside the plastic bag.

My students studied photosynthesis at the beginning of the semester. Here's a student-friendly website that explains the process of photosynthesis (click on the tabs of the card in the center of the page to learn more)
Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis relates to transpiration since plants create oxygen during this process and then release it (through their leaves) into the air.

References
Cherry, L. (1990). The great kapok tree: A tale of the Amazon rain forest. San Diego: Voyager Books.
Hansen, M.P., Miller, M.K., and Spann, M.B. (1993). Integrated theme units: Rain forest. Scholastic, Inc.

Rain Forests - Discussion

It's time for another discussion! Look back at the guidelines post if needed so you can remember to include all the necessary items for this assignment.

Learn
Use these links to learn more about tropical rain forests.
Tropical Rainforest

Rainforest

The Tropical Rain Forest

Discuss
Answer these questions in the Comments section of this post. Remember to come back in and respond to at least one classmate.
You may want to look back at the Forests post to help you answer these questions.

1) How are deciduous, temperate, and tropical rain forests alike and different?

2) Name some adaptations of forest animals or plants.

3) List the six layers of forests. Choose two layers to describe in your own words.

References
Blue Planet Biomes. (n.d.). Tropical rainforest. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm

Butler, R.A. (2007). Scarlet macaw (Ara macao) [Photograph]. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://travel.mongabay.com/pix/peru/tambopata-Tambopata_1029_4696.html

Missouri Botanical Garden. (2002). Rainforest. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/rforest/index.htm

Ritter, M.E. (2006). The forest biome: The tropical rain forest. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/biogeography/biomes_tropical_forests_page_1.html

Forests - Activity

This post includes another hands-on activity for you to complete. This time, you will be making recycled paper.

Before we begin the activity, you will need some background information on forests so you know why we should recycle paper and help protect the trees. Look through these websites to find out about the forests of the world.

Learn
Temperate Deciduous Forests

Deciduous Forests

Temperate Forest Biome

Tropical Forests

Activity
**This lab may get a little messy so make sure you are wearing old clothes. You may want to wear an apron to protect your clothing even more.
**If the weather permits, complete this lab outside. If you have a garage or other area inside that doesn't matter if you make a mess, you could use that, too. Offer to clean up when you're done!

Science Safety Reminders:
1) Ask an adult for help and supervision with this activity.
2) Do not eat or drink anything associated with science lab projects.
3) Blenders have very sharp blades. Make sure you have an adult to help set up and operate the blender for you.
4) Be very careful when using sharp objects like scissors. If you do not have a pair of blunt-tipped scissors at home, ask an adult to do the cutting for you.

You may choose either of the following activities to complete.

Activity Option One:
Materials:
Old newspaper (make sure everyone has had a chance to read it first!)
An old/un-used blender (remember, have an adult operate this for you)
An old wire hanger (do you notice a trend here? See how many old and used things we are using?)
Scissors
An old pair of pantyhose
White school (child-safe, washable) glue
A large tub filled with 4 inches of water
Old piece of fabric
Iron and ironing board


Procedure:
1) Bend the wire hanger into a square or rectangle shape to make a frame. Ask an adult if you need help. You will need a frame for each piece of paper you make so you may need more than one wire hanger.

2) Cut one leg off the pantyhose (remember to ask an adult if you need help cutting). Carefully stretch the leg over the wire hanger so it covers your entire frame. Make sure it is tight.

3) Tear sheets of the newspaper into 2-inch strips. Put a handful of paper along with some water into the blender. Ask an adult to blend the paper and water mixture on high speed until it becomes mushy. Stand by and watch while the blending happens. Help out by passing paper and water to your adult helper so they can add more to the blender. Ask them to keep adding until you have a big gray mushy paper blob. Tell your helper to keep the blender spinning until all the paper has disappeared. They will then need to leave the blender on for another two minutes (ask them to stay by the blender with you at all times).

4) Make sure you are wearing an apron or old clothing! Fill the tub with about four inches of water and add 2 tablespoons of white glue to the water. Ask your adult helper to remove the paper pulp from the blender and place it in the tub. Use your hands to mix the water, glue, and paper pulp until they are all combined.

5) Use your pantyhose and wire hanger frame to scoop all the way to the bottom of the tub. Count to 20 while you slowly lift the frame out of the tub. Hold the frame over the tub for about one minute to allow the excess water to drain out. Use your hands to flatten the paper pulp mixture so it is spread evenly across the frame.

6) Put the paper out in the sun to dry. You may want to use an old plastic grocery bag to lay the sheet on top of. Wait until the paper sheet is completely dry. Once it is dry, carefully peel it off the frame.

7) Ask the adult helper to steam your paper sheet for you. To do this, have them place a piece of fabric under the paper sheet (on top of the ironing board). They should then set the iron at the hottest temperature and use the steam setting to steam the paper. Have them hold the iron above the paper and just let the steam spread over the paper. Once the paper is cool, you can use it as you wish!

Here is the website that I found this activity on. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, the website has suggestions for other fun things you can do such as adding color or leaves. Enjoy!

Activity Option Two:
Materials:
Computer (to view the video)
Aluminum foil
Newspaper (2 sheets per piece of paper plus some extra sheets)
Scissors
Corn starch
Tub or bowl
Hot water (hot tap water will work fine)
Wooden spoon
Sharp pencil
Heavy books (2-3)
Optional: Glitter, dried flowers, confetti, leaves

Procedure:
1) Watch the video from this link: Recycled Paper video.
You may need an adult to register a username to view the video.

2) Cut your newspaper sheets up into small squares. Put the squares into a bowl or tub and pour warm water over them. Mix them well and then let them sit for a couple of hours until they are mushy. Your paper should look and feel like oatmeal.

3) Add 2 tablespoons of corn starch and some more hot water (just enough to dissolve the corn starch). Stir well so all the corn starch is mixed in with the paper pieces.

4) Now you will make an aluminum foil strainer. Cut a piece of foil that is about the same size as the piece of paper you plan on making. Use a sharp pencil to carefully poke holes in the foil (ask an adult to help!)

5) Cut a larger piece of foil. Put this piece of foil on top of some extra sheets of newspaper.

6) Spoon the paper pulp onto the large piece of foil. Cover the pulp with the small foil strainer and then cover the strainer with a sheet of newspaper. Press as much water out as you can by pressing on the newspaper with your hand. Remove the newspaper and foil strainer and press any holes in the paper together. Add any decorations you like (glitter, dried flowers, leaves, confetti).

7) Place a new piece of aluminum foil on the paper pulp. Add the heavy books on top of the foil to help remove any remaining water and flatten your paper sheet. Leave the books on the paper for at least one minute.

8) Remove the top layer of aluminum foil and leave your paper to dry overnight. Once it is dry, carefully peel the recycled paper off the foil.

References
Make Stuff. (2008). How to make your own recycled paper. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/paper.html

Teacher's Domain (2008). Making recycled paper. Retrieved November 17, 2008 from http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.recycledpaper/

Grasslands - Activity

For this activity, you will learn about the grasslands biome by completing a WebQuest.
I have created this WebQuest for you using links to websites covering the grasslands. All the assignment instructions are included as part of the WebQuest. Your job is to begin with the Introduction page and move through the pages from there.

Click on the link to find the Grasslands WebQuest.

You will find some questions on the Task page of the WebQuest that are related to the links and activity.
Please come back into this post to answer the questions. You will answer the questions in the Comments section of the blog. You do not need to respond to classmates for this activity.

Enjoy the sites I have chosen as well as the hands-on activity you will complete.

This assignment is worth 10 points.

References:
Mackaskill, S. (2008). Zebra looking over its shoulder [Photograph]. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/zebra_tgr-pwb01.html

Simcox, G. (2008). Grasslands WebQuest. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://teacherweb.com/WQ/ElementarySchool/Grasslands1/index.html

Tundra - Activity

During this lab, you will discover how animals are protected from cold climates.

Science Safety Reminders:
1) Ask an adult for help and supervision with this activity.
2) Do not eat or drink anything associated with science lab projects.

Materials you will need:
5-6 ice cubes
Large bowl
Water
Shortening
2 plastic zipper bags (quart-sized bags work well)

Procedure:
1) Fill the bowl with water and add the ice cubes. Let the water sit and cool off for a while (you may want to add some more ice if it melts before you begin).

2) Fill one zipper bag with some shortening. Make sure you put enough in to coat the inside of the bag.

3) Place the second zipper bag inside the bag with shortening. Use your fingers on the outside of the bag to squash the shortening around so it coats both sides of the inner bag.

4) Place your bare hand in the ice water for a few seconds and notice how cold it is. Now, place your hand inside the clean bag that is inside the bag with the shortening (it should resemble a sort of glove). Place this hand inside the cold water. What do you notice? Is the water still cold?

Watch the video to see how to set up and complete this lab.



How this lab shows how animals stay warm even in cold climates:
The shortening (vegetable fat) acts just like the layer of fat that is hidden under the skin of animals such as walruses, whales, and penguins who live in cold climates. The fat is an insulator meaning it does not allow heat or cold to move in or out of an object quickly. The fat holds the body heat in so the animal is able to stay warm.

Based on the activity Penguin Undercoat from VanCleave (2000).

Reference
VanCleave, J. (2000). Science around the year. New York: Scholastic.

Tundra - Discussion

Here is another discussion post for you.
Remember to look back at the guidelines post so you can be sure to include all the required parts of this assignment.

Learn
Use these links to learn about the tundra:
Tundra - this site will tell you where the tundra is located as well as facts about the tundra and tundra plants and animals (be sure to click on each one!)
There are also some photographs of the tundra in Finland.

The Tundra Biome - Click here and use the links of this page to learn about the tundra's climate as well as the animals and plants that live there. You can also read some interesting tundra facts.

Tundra Biomes - This site will tell you about the arctic tundra and the alpine tundra. You can also click on a link on this page to see some more images of tundra biomes.

Discuss
1) How is the tundra like a desert?

2) How do you think animals who live in this biome stay warm?

This assignment is worth 5 points.


*Elk clip art retrieved November 18, 2008 from my personal copy of Microsoft Office 2008 Word Clip Art. Use terms can be viewed at http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx

References
Missouri Botanical Garden. (2002). Tundra. Retrieved November 3, 2008 from http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/tundra/index.htm

Office for Mac 2008 home and student edition [Computer software]. (2008). city: Microsoft Corporation.

University of Richmond. (n.d.). The tundra biome. Retrieved November 4, 2008 from http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/tundra.html

World Biomes. (2002). Tundra biomes. Retrieved November 3, 2008 from http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_tundra.htm