Enduring Understanding | Essential Questions | Standards | Tasks | Resources

Enduring Understanding:

Predators of the Aquatic Biome is an interdisciplinary gifted unit on oceanography, biology, and environmental science.  By increasing a student's knowledge of life in the underwater biome, he/she will gain a better understanding, a different perspective and a greater appreciation for the sharks symbiotic relationships in this habitat.

Essential Question: 
How do sharks fit into the aquatic biomes?

Sub questions: 
 ~~ What is the shark's role in the underwater biome?
 ~~ How do cartilaginous and bony fish differ?
 ~~ How does the topography of the ocean floor influence where the sharks live?
 ~~ How does ocean motion influence shark attacks?
 ~~ How have humans discovered the shark's world?

Tasks:

     1.  Shark Research Paper and 3-D Model - see direction page and rubric in Target notebook
          DUE DATE:  Research Paper is due the week of: March 24, 2008
                              3-D Model and Presentation is due the week of: March 31, 2008

     2.  Multiple Intelligence Project - see direction page and rubric in Target notebook
          DUE DATE: Early May 2008
     3.  Town Hall Meeting  (tentative - If time allows)
 

Resources:

~~ Multiple Intelligence Online Quiz

|| BIOME || HABITAT || OCEAN ZONES || FISH INFO || AQUARIUM ||  SHARK INFO ||

BIOME INFORMATION:

• Biomes of the World
  The World's Biomes

• Tour of Biomes

• World's Biomes - UC Berkley

• Enchanted Learning - Biomes (may need password - see teacher)

• Ocean. com

• Enchanted Learning - Oceans (may need password - see teacher)

HABITAT INFORMATION:

• National Geographic - Habitats

• Habitats

• EEK!  Habitats
  
   

FISH TYPES INFO:

• What is Ichthyology?

• All About Fish

• NatureWorks - Bony Fish

• Ocean Life Trivia
   

OCEAN ZONES:

• Ocean Zones
• What zone do these animals live in???
• Explore the Sea
• Sea Surface Temperature
• Oceans & Wildlife
• All About Oceans - See teacher for password

Classroom Aquarium:

• Sweeping the Ocean Floor

• Ocean Floor

• Ocean Life

SHARK INFORMATION:

• SeaWorld Links - Sharks and Rays

• An Ocean of Know - Sharks

• Shark Surfari

• Island of the Sharks

• Kids Zone - Sharks

• Who's Who of Sharks - Shark Families

• Zoom Sharks   (Get password from teachers)

• Wonders of the Sea - Sharks

• Smithsonian - Sharks

• Shark Theme Page

• National Aquarium of Baltimore - What are Sharks?

• San Diego Natural History Museum

• Monterey Bay Aquarium - Sharks - Myths and Mystery

• 42Explore- Sharks

• Mediterranean Shark Site

• Shark Friends Photo Gallery

• ReefQuest Center for Shark Research (High Level)

• Shark World

• Georgia Aquarium

• Florida Shark Attacks

• Clickable Shark

• Natural History Museum

• Shark Anatomy

• Mrs. Berry's Web Site - Help with Scavenger Hunt

• Newton's Apple - Shark Behavior Video

• Basking Shark Video

• Map of Shark Habitats

• Mako Shark Habitat (Thanks Brooke)

• Shark Slideshow

• How Do Sharks Swim

• Shark Quiz

• Shark Senses

• Shark Drawing Tips

EXTRAS:

• Fish of the Month

• Fishy Facts

Assessment:

This unit will have three assessments:

     1.  Shark Research Paper and 3-D Model - see direction page and rubric in notebook
     2.  Multiple Intelligence Project
     3.  Town Hall Meeting  (tentative - If time allows)

You will be assessed using a rubric provided by your teacher.  You will be assessed on the following items:
1.  Presentation
2.  Participation in research project
3.  Answers to essential questions

Standards:
Compares and contrasts habitat and biomes
Recognizes and describes the topography of the ocean floor.
Recognizes ocean water is in constant motion due to currents, waves, and tides.
Identifies and describes the varied technologies used to study and explore the ocean.
Draws conclusions, makes predictions, compares/contrasts, and makes generalizations.