Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's Ecological Biogeography Course
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As a continuation of the topics of speciation and biodiversity from semester 1 of the biogeography, semester 2 examines the patterns of adaptations and variations that occur across different ecosystems and at different latitudes. The emphasis of the course will be on the animal and plant adaptations and specializations that species have made to survive in different environments. Students will incorporate topics from biology, botany, and zoology under a geographic framework to better understand the connections that plants and animals have with the environment they live in. Using project-based methods of observation, data collection, and geospatial modeling, students will incorporate in scientific studies to better understand spatial distributions of the planets plants and animals.
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Unit I - Concepts of Ecological Biogeography
Unit I Schedule
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Week 1: Geographic Skills
(Jan 4-8th) No School Monday Jan 4th - Staff Development Module 1.1: A Familiar World Central Question: What is location and how is it connected to place? Forum 1.1: A Point on the Map - Where in the World (Activity) - Course Introduction Map Lab: Coordinating Yourself (Assignment) + Coordinating Yourself App Module 1.2: Reading a Landscape Central Question: How can you learn about a place through the processes of observation? Forum 1.2: Distinguishing Characteristics Field Lab: Uniqueness of Place (Aquarium) - The Five Themes of Geography (Notes) HW: Ecology: The Biome Approach + 1 Page Reflection + Develop three discussion questions
Week 4: Global Warming
(Jan 25-29th) Module 1.7: Anthropogenic Forces Central Question: Why is an understanding of human forces necessary in ecology? Forum 1.7: Act Now or Forever Hold Your Peace Class Discussion: Global Warming Extinction |
Week 2: Biomes
(Jan 11-15th) Module 1.3: Reasons for the Seasons Central Question: How is the world subdivided and how were those markers decided? Forum 1.3: Why is all this necessary? Map Lab: Global Divisions (Assignment) + World Atlas - Reference Lines + Sample Map - Regions and Seasons (Notes) HW: Reference Points Map Quiz Module 1.4: An Ecological Approach to Biomes Central Question: What factors lead to the change in biomes and what impact does that have on plant and animal distributions? Forum 1.4: Where did it go? - World Reference Points Map Quiz Map Lab: Altered Biomes (Assignment) + Altered Biomes Webmap Class Discussion: Ecology The Biome Approach - Atlas for a Changing World (Notes) + Slides 1-15 
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Week 3: Importance of Biodiversity
(Jan 18-22nd) No School Monday Jan 18th - MLK Day Module 1.5: Protecting Life, Big and Small Central Question: What are symptoms of ecological imbalances and how are humans involved? Forum 1.5: Ecological Considerations - Atlas for a Changing World (Notes) + Slides 16-26 HW: Global Warming Extinction + 1 page reflection + Develop three discussion questions Module 1.6: Rules of Ecogeography Central Question: What is the relationship between species and physical location? Forum 1.6: Advantageous Adaptations - Rules of Ecogeography (Notes) Field Lab: Find an Exception (Student Choice)
Week 5:
(Feb 1-5th) Module 1.8:End of Unit I Central Question: How does the understanding of ecology work into biogeography? Forum 1.9: Pre-Test Questions (Unit I) - Unit I Test - Concepts of Ecological Biogeography (Link will open on test day) |
Unit I NotesAtlas for a Changing World (Module 1.4 & 1.5)Regions and Seasons (Module 1.2)
Rules of Ecogeography (Module 1.6)Unit I ReviewUnit I Vocabulary Guide |
Unit I Assignments
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Unit I Resources
Unit II - The World's Physical Regions
Unit II Schedule
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Week 6: Exploring Physical Regions
(Feb 8-12th) Module 2.1: Biome Refresher Central Question: What is a biome and what distinguishes one from another? Forum 2.1: Biotic or Abiotic? Field Lab: Capturing the Essence (K.O.N) Map Lab: BiomeViewer (Assignment) + HHMI: BiomeViewer HW: A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes + 1 Page Reflection + Develop three discussion questions Module 2.2: Scientific Basis of Biomes Central Question: How can scientific data be used to track, measure, and classify biomes? Forum 2.2: Measuring Biomes Class Discussion: Conceptual Model for Biomes + A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes Map Lab: Investigating Biodiversity (Assignment) + Investigating Biodiversity Webmap + TED-Ed: Why is Biodiversity so Important? 
Week 9: Marine Ecosystems
(Mar 1-5th) Module 2.7: The Edges of Our Blue Planet Central Question: Why are the coastal regions of the planet particularly in danger? Forum 2.7: Build a Case Field Lab: Coastal Issues (Aquarium) Movie: Our Planet: Coastal Seas Module 2.8: Changes to our Coastal Seas Central Question: What can cause ecosystems to change over time? Forum 2.8: Changing Ecosystems - Pristine Oceans (Assignment) + TED Talk: Enric Sala - Glimpse of a Pristine Ocean + Nceas: Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems 
Week 12: Temperate and Boreal Forests
(Mar 29-Apr 2nd) No School Tuesday Apr 2nd - Junior ACTs Module 2.13: Mid-Latitude Forests Central Question: Why do species in Mid-Latitude forests need to be so adaptable? Forum 2.13: Nature Around You Field Lab: Out and About (Student Choice) - Planet Earth: Forests Module 2.14: A Walk in the Woods Central Question: What are the different forest zones and how do they differ? Forum 2.14: The Bete Noir of Forests - Earth's Temperate Forests (Notes) - Save the Forests! (Assignment) |
Week 7: Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
(Feb 15-19th) No School Monday Feb 15th - President's Day Module 2.3: Spatial Distribution of Arid Regions Central Question: Where are the planet's arid and semi-arid regions located, and how does their physical location impact the ecosystem? Forum 2.3: As Nurturing as a Desert - Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the World (Notes) Portfolio Piece: Deserts Module 2.4: Desert Adaptations Central Question: How have species evolved to better survive in the harsh conditions of a desert? Forum 2.4: Adapt, Or Else?? Field Lab: Surviving in a dry Land (Desert Dome) + In-Class Presentations 
Week 10: Polar Regions
(Mar 8-12th) Module 2.9: Life at the Fringes Central Question: What special adaptations have species in the polar regions made to survive in their harsh environments? Forum 2.9: Recapping Bergmann and Allen Field Lab: Similar but Separate (Aquarium) - Frozen Planet - To the Ends of the Earth (EP1) Module 2.10: Canary in a Coal Mine Central Question: How do changes at the earth's polar regions have an effect on other parts of the planet? Forum 2.10: A Reason to Care - Issues from the Polar Regions (Notes) HW: Reflecting (Assignment) - TED Talk: Robert Swan + 1 page reflection + Develop three discussion questions 
Week 13: Grasslands
(Apr 5-9th) Module 2.15: Open Range Central Question: Is the analogy of the grasslands as a desert accurate? Forum 2.15: Like a Desert? - Prairies of North America (Assignment) + Encyclopedia of the Great Plains: Physical Environment Field Lab: Short Grass Runners? (Prairie Dogs) Module 2.16: Life on the Grasslands Central Question: What are the distinctive subdivisions of grasslands and what are the different issues associated with the biome? Forum 2.16: Dangers of life in the Open - The Grassland Biome (Notes) Field Lab: Game Trails (African Grasslands) |
Week 8: Tropical Rainforests
(Feb 22-26th) Module 2.5: Distribution of Tropical Forests Central Question: What are the different types of tropical forest and how are they shaped by different physical forces? Forum 2.5: The Jungle Book - Tropical Forests (Notes) + YouTube: Tropical Forests Field Lab: Everyone has a Niche (Jungle) Module 2.6: Issues of Tropical Forests Central Question: Why is it increasingly vital to protect the planet's tropical forests? Forum 2.6: Building Prior Knowledge - Forest Degradation Story Telling (Assignment) + Basemap + Example: State of America's Forests + NatGeo: Deforestation Facts and Figures 
Week 11: Alpine Regions
(Mar 22-26th) Module 2.11: Mile High Living Central Question: Why might life in high altitudes be so difficult for plants and animals? Forum 2.11: Desirable or Not - The Mountain Ecoregion (Notes) Field Lab: Avoiding the Perfect Hunter (A.H.) Module 2.12: Living on the Edge Central Question: Why do mountains require such high levels of specialization for species? Forum 2.12: Mountain Specialists Field Lab: Mountain Ecoregions (Gorillas) - Experiment - National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR) - Touring Mountain Ranges (Assignment) + Google Expeditions VR 
Week 14: End of Unit II
(Apr 12-16th) Module 2.17: Review Day Central Question: How do the different biomes differ? Forum 2.17: Biome Hospitably - Review Module 2.18: Central Question: Forum 2.18: - Unit II Test - The World's Physical Regions - Portfolio Submission - Student Survey NEBRASKANS AT THE POLLS WHERE IS THE BEEF Feedback Form |
Unit II NotesArid and Semi-Arid Regions of the World (Module 2.3)
Earth's Temperate Forests (Module 2.14)
Issues from the Polar Regions (Module 2.9)
The Grassland Biome (Module 2.16)
The Mountain Ecoregion (Module 2.11)
Tropical Forests (Module 2.5)
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Unit II Assignments
Unit II Review
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Unit II Resources
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Unit III - Human Ecology Geoinquiry
Unit III Schedule
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Week 15: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(Apr 19-23rd) Module 3.1: Element of a Research Question
Central Question: What are the best ways to identify environmental issues to address? Forum 3.1: Natural Education - TED: Jane Goodall - How humans and animals can live together + 1 Page Reflection + Develop 3 Discussion Questions Field Experience: Questioning Nature (Student Choice) Week 18: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(May 10-14th) Module 3.6:
Central Question: Forum 3.6: - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Create and Analyze Benchmark: Maps and analysis completed Module 3.7:
Central Question: Forum 3.7: - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Act Benchmark: Project completed ready to present |
Week 16: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(Apr 26-30) Module 3.2: Develop Research Question
Central Question: What is an ecological issue you would like to learn more about? Forum 3.2: Question Development - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Ask Benchmark: Functional Research Question Module 3.3: Project Research
Central Question: How can ecological issues be addressed through research? Forum 3.3: Research Focus - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Acquire Benchmark: Resources identified and research begun 
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Week 17: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(May 3-7th) Senior Ceremony May 5th - Last Day for Seniors Module 3.4: Project Research
Central Question: Why is solid research design important to the completion of ecological work? Forum 3.4: - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Acquire Benchmark: All research completed Module 3.5: Project Compilation
Central Question: What types of visuals are needed to help further explain a topic? Forum 3.5: Pitch Your Maps - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Visualize and Organize Benchmark: Information and pictures formatted Week 19: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(May 17-21st) |
Unit III Notes |
Unit III Assignments
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Unit III Resources
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Ecological Biogeography Course Resources
Class Resources
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Ecological Biogeography Forum
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