At the end of the unit, the entire team got together and discussed what we had learned.  These are the words of the students that were written on chart paper during the discussion.  We certainly learned a great deal!

I.   Knowledge

- debate about number of biomes among scientists

- aquatic biome makes up three fourths of the world

- taiga is the largest land biome

- desert has the second most amount of animal species, rainforest is

first

- tundra is the youngest biome

- chaparral plants need fire to burn their seed coat in order to grow

- rainforest covers seven percent of land on earth

- rainforest is so diverse new species discovered everyday

- aquatic biome produces over fifty percent of our oxygen

- parts of the aquatic biome are found in all other biomes

- the rainforest is the oldest biome

- aquatic is the largest biome

- the aquatic biome is over twenty eight trillion gallons of water

- the tundra is the newest biome, it had no snow for millions of years

- scientists feel that by 2050 the rainforest will be gone

- the two types of rainforest are temperate and tropic

- humans are the biggest threat to the biomes

      A. Teach other groups your topic

      B. Citing Using MLA format

             - giving credit to your sources

             - ABC order

             - used for both text research and pictures

      C. Oral/Partner Presentations

             - learn to not show your nerves

             - speak loudly, clearly and slowly

             - eye contact with all of the audience

            - dress appropriately for a formal presentation

            - good posture

            - no fidgeting

            - use your presentation as a tool

            - help partner answer questions, or jump in if they forget

            - casual talk (no memorized speeches)

            - give audience time to write

            - know your information well enough to answer questions

            - work together for a smooth transition

            - pronounce all words correctly

            - hands behind back trick!

            - elaborate on topics to avoid too many audience clarification questions

      C.  Practice Slides

            - a way to communicate with teacher

            - short phrases on slides

            - elaborate below slides

      D.  Power Point Presentation

            - spelling must be correct

            - sounds added to interest not distract audience

            - accurate information ONLY!

            - organized

            - all content is something the presenters can discuss at length

            - includes only key facts and important information

            - phrases on slides

            - appropriate contrast between letters and background

            - text is legible to audience

            - colors work with topic

            - animation is consistent and professional

            - good use of space on slides

            - pictures obtained from a variety of sources all pertain to information on the slide:

                        Internet

                        clip art

                        scanned from books

            - charts and graphs included

    E. Work With Partner

            - keep each other on task

            - compromise on what information is important enough to go on the slide

            - cooperate and take turns with note taking and using the technology

            - divide up slide sketches and oral presentation responsibilities

            - decide which research was important enough for notes

            - practice together

            - be able to give and take constructive criticism

    F. Self-Evaluation

            - be self-critical and self-praising

            - honesty in your reflection

            - prove with specific examples that you earned each point

            - decide how to numerically grade yourself

            - look back over all that you did and communicate it effectively in writing

            - thoughtful reflection

            - be brave enough to give yourself a grade you deserve

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