BIOME: Mountains Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan #: AELP-ECL0202
Submitted by: Dr. Richard Oakes Peters
Email: docdk39@hotmail.com
School/University/Affiliation: Augusta State University (GA)

Date: January 25, 2001

Grade Level: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Adult/Continuing Education

Subject(s):

Science/Ecology

Duration: Five 50-75 minute sessions

Description: In school and at field-based sites, students investigate the characteristics and history of mountain ecosystems.

Goals:

Students will understand the ecological characteristics of a mountain biome.

Students will understand the ways that mountain biome resources are used by Man.

Students will learn about the history of mountain biome development.

Objectives:

Students will research the historical development and characteristics of a selected mountain biome ecosystem.

Students will discuss the nature and characteristics of a selected mountain biome ecosystem with community resource people.

Students will create audiovisual presentations that depict the history and characteristics of a selected mountain biome ecosystem.

Students will write research reports and term papers about a mountain biome ecosystem.

Students will design a stewardship strategy to protect a mountain biome ecosystem from degradation.

Materials:

community resource people
a mountain biome site
transportation to/from the site with parent volunteers to act as chaperones
books/magazines (see References below)
atlases, maps, and globes
computer software
Internet sites
films, filmstrips, slide/tape presentations, and videos
8mm/16mm motion picture cameras
35mm still photography cameras
video tape equipment

Vocabulary:

biome – A major community (flora & fauna) located on a specific continental sub-division of the surface of the earth.

ECOnauts – Students actively engaged in a variety of environmental studies.

research – A variety of strategies used by students (ECOnauts) to collect data for later analysis and evaluation.

Procedure:
Using a variety of print/non-print materials, students investigate the nature and characteristics of a given mountain biome. Students use maps of the community/surrounding region to locate the mountain biome site to be studied. Guided by community resource people/site resource people, students tour a selected mountain region. They observe types of flora/fauna; take pictures/videotape of phenomena observed; collect rock samples; test stream/pond/lake water; record sounds using tape recorders; and keep diaries/logs. Students create reports, debate the importance of mountain biomes, and propose strategies to ensure the continued physical well-being of a mountain biome. Assessment: Students demonstrate their understanding of the history and characteristics of a selected mountain biome by: describing the characteristics of the biome to others in print and visual form; creating visual representations of biome characteristics (tabletop dioramas, bulletin boards) — used to inform others; designing a stewardship strategy; correctly answering 80% of objective test items (true/false, matching, multiple choice, completion or supply); and writing reflective essays, poems, and songs. Four sample test questions are provided below:

Mountains are made from one or more types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and/or ____________ . ( Answer: metamorphic )

Mountains are called ___________ environments. ( Answer: alpine )

Which of the following types of wildlife would NOT be found in a North American mountain environment?
a) goats
b) deer
c) sloths
d) bears
( Answer: c )

Which of the following types of trees would NOT be found in a North American mountain environment?
a) oak
b) pine
c) poplar
d) date palm
( Answer: d )

Useful Internet Resources:
* National Council for Geographic Education
http://www.ncge.org

* National Council for the Social Studies — ‘Mountains: A Global Resource’
http://www.ncss.org/resources/mountains/

* The Nature Conservancy
http://nature.org/

* American Forests
http://www.americanforests.org

* National Parks Conservation Association
http://www.npca.org

* Appalachian Mountain Club
http://www.outdoors.org

* Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org

* The Wilderness Society
http://www.wilderness.org

* The Wildlife Society
http://www.wildlife.org

Other References:

Brooks, M. (1965). The Appalachians . Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.

Kirk, R. (ed). (1996). The Enduring Forests . Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers.

National Geographic Society. (1985). America’s Wild Woodlands . Washington, DC.

Weidensaul, S. (1994). Mountains of the Heart . Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.

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