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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.   
Course Connection

Unit I - Concepts of Ecological Biogeography

Unit I Schedule

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


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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)
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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 Notes

Atlas for a Changing World (Module 1.4 & 1.5)

Regions and Seasons (Module 1.2)

Rules of Ecogeography (Module 1.6)

Unit I Review

Unit I Vocabulary Guide

Unit I Review Quizlet

Unit I Assignments

Coordinating Yourself
File Size: 117 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ecology: The Biome Approach
File Size: 824 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Global Warming Extinction
File Size: 2677 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Where in the World?
File Size: 5820 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Unit I Resources

NASA Earth Observatory - Shrinking Aral Sea
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Unit II -  The World's Physical Regions

Unit II Schedule

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?
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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
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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
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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
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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 
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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
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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

Unit II Notes

Arid 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)

Unit II Assignments

A Conceptual Model for the Study of Biomes
File Size: 512 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Unit II Review

Unit II Review: The World's Physical Regions
File Size: 87 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Unit II Resources

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A World of Forests: Atlas

Jump: Gorillas in the Congo

National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR)


Unit III - Human Ecology Geoinquiry

Unit III Schedule

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) 
Module 3.8:
     Central Question: 
     Forum 3.8: End of the Year
     - Student Survey

Unit III Notes

Unit III Assignments

Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
File Size: 230 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Unit III Resources

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Ecological Biogeography Course Resources

Class Resources

Biogeography/Ecological Biogeography Syllabus (Updated Fall 2018)
File Size: 150 kb
File Type: pdf
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Conducting Field Studies
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
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Ecological Biogeography Vocabulary Index
File Size: 150 kb
File Type: pdf
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Ecological Biogeography Forum

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Additional Resources

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Biome Viewer
Earth Viewer
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Home

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Geography for Geographers

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Geopolaris Education Publications

Email: GeoKTred@gmail.com
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