I'm glad it wasn't April Fool's Day

Hello,

We split into biome groups and started planning our class museum displays.  Here are the directions that the kids received:

Biome Museum

          Your team will be putting together a display for our class biome museum.  You will be graded on your final product and how well you worked together as a team.

           Each team has been given a biome.  You now must do all the research it takes to create a diorama and a poster.  The diorama has to be a three dimensional scene that represents your biome.  The following information must be included in either your diorama or your poster:

1.    Biome title

2.    Biome overview (a short explanation of your biome)

3.    Specific precipitation data

4.    Specific temperature data

5.    Common flora (plant life) and their adaptations

6.    Common fauna (animal life) and their adaptations

7.    Predators

8.    Prey

          Be Creative.  Be Cooperative.  Be Colorful.  Be Correct.

If you are asking why are we starting this before finishing our animal reports, that is a great question. 

The number one reason is computer availability.  I need to be able to get them in the computer lab or at least get use of the laptops on a consistent basis for a good week.  That isn't going to happen until after vacation.  That project, unfortunately, is on hold until then.  Maybe we can come back to it with renewed vigor. 

Students watched part of the Discovery Education's Planet Earth series this afternoon while I got more reading assessments finished.  I need to carve out about three more hours of instructional time to get these assessments done.  The Planet Earth series captures some fantastic video of plants and animals from a variety of different biomes and their struggle for survival.  I'm sure your child can tell you a little bit about it. 

Our after school homework club did a some panning for gold.  I bought some gold mine remains from a geology professor from Georgia.  It was fun, but we only found small bits of tourmaline and amethyst.  I guess I'll have to keep my day job. 

Have a good night.

Mr. Shea