Welcome to Mr. Tredinnick's Ecological Biogeography Course
|
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.
|
Unit I - Conceptual Ecological Biogeography
Unit I Schedule
|
Week 1: Our Piece of the Planet
(Jan 3-7th) No School Jan 3-4th - Staff Development Module 1.1: Reason for the Seasons
Guiding Inquiry: How does a place's location on the planet affect the climate conditions it will experience throughout the year? Forum: Identifying Location (1.1) Map Lab: Seasonal Insolation (Assignment) + NASA Earth Observations - Solar Insolation (Notes) HW: Check for Understanding Next Class
Week 4: Factoring Humans In
(Jan 24-28th) Module 1.6: Spatial Connections
Guiding Inquiry: Spatial Connections Forum: Picture analysis, Bergmann (1.6) Module 1.7: Human-Environment Interaction
Guiding Inquiry: Human Environment Interaction Forum: (1.7) |
Week 2: Biomes as Regions
(Jan 10-14th) Module 1.2: Biomes and Ecoregions
Guiding Inquiry: How can the geographic theme of "regions" be used to better understand the categorization of ecological areas? Forum: It is what you think it is? (1.2) Map Lab: Geographic Zones (Assignment) + World Atlas: Geographical Zones + Submission Form HW: Geographic Zones Reflection (On submission form) Module 1.3: Classifying Climate
Guiding Inquiry: What is the significance of temperature, precipitation, and altitude in helping to determine the climate characteristics of a region? Forum: Explaining Nebraska (1.3) - Koppen Climate Classification System (Notes) - Deconstructing Climographs (Assignment) + Submission Form + Carlton: Normal Climate Patterns HW: Complete Reflection Questions 
|
Week 3: Reading a Landscape
(Jan 17-21st) No School Monday Jan 17th - MLK Day Module 1.4: Capturing Place
Guiding Inquiry: What can you learn about a Place from "reading the landscape" to analyze it's human and physical characteristics? Forum: Identifying Nebraska's Place (1.4) Field Lab: Placing a Biome (Student Choice) + Discover the place characteristics of a particular biome as represented by different exhibits here at the zoo. - Take a photo of the location - Identify the characteristics - Find a couple species that live there and investigate the ideal conditions for that species as a way of better figuring out what climate conditions exist there HW: Check for Understanding Next Class Module 1.5: Adapted for its Surroundings
Central Question: Spatial Connections Forum: (1.5) Quiz - Human and Physical Characteristics Rules of Ecobiogeography (Bergmann and Allen) Map Lab: Bergman and Allen in Regions + HHMI: BiomeViewer Field Lab: Testing Bergmann and Allen
Week 5: Bringing it Together
(Jan 31st-Feb 4th) Module 1.8:TBD
Guiding Inquiry: Human Environment Interaction Forum: (1.8) Module 1.9:End of Unit I
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (1.9) - Unit I Celebration of Knowledge - Conceptual Ecological Biogeography |
Unit I NotesSolar Insolation (Module 1.1)Koppen Climate Classification System (Module 1.3)
Unit I Review |
Unit I Assignments
| ||||||||||||
Old Stuff
Rules of Ecogeography (Module 1.6)Regions and Seasons (Module 1.2)
|
|
| ||||||||
Unit I Resources
Unit II - The World's Physical Regions - Change to 5 themes
Unit II Schedule
|
Week 6: Exploring Physical Regions
(Feb 8-12th) Module 2.1: Introduction to the Terrestrial Biomes Guiding Inquiry: What is a biome and what distinguishes one from another? Forum 2.1: - Introduce Unit Portfolio Module 2.2: Scientific Basis of Biomes Guiding Inquiry: 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? Module 2.1: Biome Refresher
Guiding Inquiry: What is a biome and what distinguishes one from another? Forum: (2.1) - Introduce Unit Portfolio Module 2.2: Scientific Basis of Biomes
Guiding Inquiry: How can scientific data be used to track, measure, and classify biomes? Forum: Measuring Biomes (2.2) 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
(Feb 28-Mar 4th) No School Friday Mar 4 - Testing Day Module 2.6: Issues of Tropical Forests
Guiding Inquiry: Why is it increasingly vital to protect the planet's tropical forests? Forum: Building Prior Knowledge (2.6) - Forest Degradation Story Telling (Assignment) + Basemap + Example: State of America's Forests + NatGeo: Deforestation Facts and Figures Module 2.7: The Edges of Our Blue Planet
Guiding Inquiry:Why are the coastal regions of the planet particularly in danger? Forum: Build a Case (2.7) Field Lab: Coastal Issues (Aquarium) Movie: Our Planet: Coastal Seas 
Week 12: Temperate and Boreal Forests
(Mar 28-Apr 1st) Module 2.12: Living on the Edge
Guiding Inquiry: Why do mountains require such high levels of specialization for species? Forum: Mountain Specialists (2.12) Field Lab: Mountain Ecoregions (Gorillas) - Experiment - National Geographic: Glow Worm Cave (VR) - Touring Mountain Ranges (Assignment) + Google Expeditions VR Module 2.13: Mid-Latitude Forests
Guiding Inquiry: Why do species in Mid-Latitude forests need to be so adaptable? Forum: Nature Around You (2.13) Field Lab: Out and About (Student Choice) - Planet Earth: Forests |
Week 7: Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
(Feb 14-18th) No School Feb 17-18th - Conferences Module 2.3: Spatial Distribution of Arid Regions
Guiding Inquiry: Where are the planet's arid and semi-arid regions located, and how does their physical location impact the ecosystem? Forum: As Nurturing as a Desert (2.3) - Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of the World (Notes) Portfolio Piece: Deserts Module 2.4: Desert Adaptations
Guiding Inquiry: How have species evolved to better survive in the harsh conditions of a desert? Forum: Adapt, Or Else?? (2.4) Field Lab: Surviving in a dry Land (Desert Dome) + In-Class Presentations 
Week 10: Polar & Subarctic Regions
(Mar 7-11th) Module 2.8: Changes to our Coastal Seas
Guiding Inquiry: What can cause ecosystems to change over time? Forum: Changing Ecosystems (2.8) - Pristine Oceans (Assignment) + TED Talk: Enric Sala - Glimpse of a Pristine Ocean + Nceas: Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems Module 2.9: Life at the Fringes - Taiga, Ice Cap, Tundra
Guiding Inquiry: What special adaptations have species in the polar regions made to survive in their harsh environments? Forum: Recapping Bergmann and Allen (2.9) Field Lab: Similar but Separate (Aquarium) - Frozen Planet - To the Ends of the Earth (EP1) 
Week 13: Grasslands
(Apr 4-8th) Module 2.14: A Walk in the Woods
Guiding Inquiry:What are the different forest zones and how do they differ? Forum: The Bete Noir of Forests (2.14) - Earth's Temperate Forests (Notes) - Save the Forests! (Assignment) Module 2.15: Open Range
Guiding Inquiry: Is the analogy of the grasslands as a desert accurate? Forum: Like a Desert? (2.15) - Prairies of North America (Assignment) + Encyclopedia of the Great Plains: Physical Environment Field Lab: Short Grass Runners? (Prairie Dogs) |
Week 8: Tropical forests
(Feb 22-26th) No School Monday Feb 21st - President's Day Module 2.5: Distribution of Tropical Forests
Guiding Inquiry: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) 
Week 11: Alpine Regions
(Mar 21-26th) Module 2.10: Canary in a Coal Mine
Guiding Inquiry: How do changes at the earth's polar regions have an effect on other parts of the planet? Forum: A Reason to Care (2.10) - Issues from the Polar Regions (Notes) HW: Reflecting (Assignment) - TED Talk: Robert Swan + 1 page reflection + Develop three discussion questions Module 2.11: Mile High Living
Guiding Inquiry: 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.) 
Week 14:
(Apr 12-16th) Module 2.16: Life on the Grasslands
Guiding Inquiry: What are the distinctive subdivisions of grasslands and what are the different issues associated with the biome? Forum: Dangers of life in the Open (2.16) - The Grassland Biome (Notes) Field Lab: Game Trails (African Grasslands) Module 2.17:
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (2.17) |
|
Week 15:
(Apr 18-22nd) Module 2.18:
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (2.18) Module 2.19:
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (2.19) |
Week 16:
(Apr 25-29th) Module 2.20:
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (2.20) Module 2.21:
Guiding Inquiry: Forum: (2.21) |
Week 17:
(May 2-6th) Senior Ceremony - Thursday May 5th Module 2.22: Portfolio Work Day
Guiding Inquiry: How do the biomes differ in their ability to support populations of diverse species? Forum: (2.22) HW: EcoBiogeography Portfolio Due Next Class |
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)
|
Unit II Assignments
Unit II Review
Global Biomes Unit Portfolio - Check List
Exemplar: World Biomes by Lauren S.
| ||||
Unit II Resources
|
|
|
|
Unit III - Human Ecology Geoinquiry
Unit III Schedule
|
Week 15: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(Apr 19-23rd) Module 3.1: Element of a Research Question
Guiding Inquiry: 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:
Guiding Inquiry: 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
Guiding Inquiry: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
Guiding Inquiry: How can ecological issues be addressed through research? Forum 3.3: Research Focus - Eco-Biogeography Geoinquiry (Assignment) + Acquire Benchmark: Resources identified and research begun 
|
Week 17: Ecobiogeographic Geoinquiry
(May 3-7th) Senior Ceremony May 5th - Last Day for Seniors Module 3.4: Project Research
Guiding Inquiry: 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
Guiding Inquiry: 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
| ||
Unit III Resources
|
|
Ecological Biogeography Course Resources
Class Resources
|
Ecological Biogeography Forum
| ||||||||
