Let’s learn about our world! Our earth is made up of land and water, but how do people understand the earth? People have categorized the earth into biomes. This class will focus on those five biomes, their characteristics, plant and animal life, location and how they all fit together to create the earth. We will create a lapbook throughout the course as well as engage in some fun projects and student presentations.
This is a live online class that meets once a week for 13-weeks. Each week the student will use their computer/iPad to logon using Zoom to participate in the class. All students will be visible (if they choose) as well as the teacher. The students will have the ability to ask questions and dialog with the teacher and other students. It will be the student/parent’s responsibility to print all materials needed for the lapbook and procure all supplies for the projects. All classes will be recorded, so if a student misses a class, it will be available for viewing via password protected webpage.
Special Note on Lapbooks: A lapbook is two manila file folders stapled in the middle to form a book. Minibooks are added on each topic we discuss in class. Thus, by the end of the course, your student will have a book filled with minibooks charting the course of the class. Each minibook includes some fill-in-the-blank and/or a map to color. They will be cut, folded and glued into the manila file folder. A video will be posted to show exactly how to cut, fold and glue each minibook into the lapbook.
Special Note on Projects: Most projects will have a video posted to show the student exactly how to complete the project. Materials needed are posted next to the project listed.
Special Note on Poster Boards: Student may use a large poster board or they may create a digital document.
Regarding Videos: Please keep in mind that although I usually preview all videos, there may be some that you need to view yourself to make sure you approve of the material. Especially the longer videos, I don’t always have time to watch every minute prior to posting. All videos are intended to engage the child in the subject being taught. If it doesn’t work for your child, feel free to not let them watch.
- Week 1: Fast Facts. Continents? Oceans? Sea versus Ocean? Mountain Ranges? Rivers? Longitude versus Latitude? Time Zones?
- Project: Frosting world map. Chocolate & vanilla frosting. Blue & green food coloring. Chocolate chips. Crushed graham crackers. Saran wrap. Download file.
- Week 2: Natural Disasters. Earthquakes? Volcanoes? Tornadoes? Hurricanes? Sinkholes? Floods? Droughts? Where do these disasters happen and why?
- Poster Board Project: Pick one natural disaster and create a Poster Board with five interesting facts.
- Week 3: Biomes. What are biomes? How many biomes are there on Earth? What does biome mean? Why do we have biomes?
- Sharing. Frosting World Maps and Natural Disaster Poster Board.
- Poster Board. Choose a biome and create a Poster Board with ten interesting facts about your biome.
- Presentation. Present your Biome Poster Board project to the class on on Week 13.
- Week 4: Aquatic Biome. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Project: Ocean Level Diorama.
- Week 5: Desert Biome. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Project: Toothpick Cactus.
- Week 6: Grassland Biome. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Poster Board Project: Pick one grassland animal and create a Poster Board showing five interesting facts about your animal.
- Week 7: Project Sharing. Class Game.
- Work on your Biome Poster Board for Week 13.
- Week 8: Forest Biome. Rainforests. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Work on your Biome Poster Board for Week 13.
- Week 9: Forest Biome. Deciduous vs. Boreal. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Project: Paper Forest Biome.
- Week 10: Project Sharing. Class Game.
- Work on your Biome Poster Board for Week 13.
- Week 11: Tundra Biome. Weather? Animals? Plants? Location? Importance? People?
- Poster Board Project: Show five interesting facts about people living in the Tundra.
- Week 12: Project Sharing. Class Game.
- Finalize your Biome Poster Board with ten facts and practice your presentation.
- Week 13: Biome Poster Board presentations. Class Game.