Links:
LANDSCAPE ESCAPE!
OBJECTIVES:
Students will act as landscape designers
Students will create a terrestrial oasis
Design will reflect a high level of biodivderisty
The design address the climate of the local area
The design should allow for nutrient cycling
PRIOR LEARNING:
Instruction at the middle and/or high school level addressing succession, biotic and abiotic factors, recycling in ecosystems, and biodiversity.
MATERIALS:
As per students
Computer with internet access
Secondary Biology textbook
Reference books from school library
WEBSITES/SUGGESTIONS:
*www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_lsc
ROLES IN LESSON:
STUDENT:
Attempt to create an environment in which flora and fauna will flourish
Research and draw a landscape design
Determine dimensions of the space you are designing and plan accordingly for their design
TEACHER:
Assist in selecting, obtaining, or purchasing of materials for students
Arrange “field trip” to garden center
Monitor student progress
Provide feedback along with checkpoints for work completion
WRAPUP:
Students will have created different designs for an eclectic terrestrial oasis
Students will display (gallery style) their work in the classroom, display area, etc.
Classes can decide which design they would like to see come to fruition
ASSESSMENT:
Landscape Escape Rubric
NYS STANDARDS:
STANDARD 4
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 6:
Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.
Major Understandings
6.2a As a result of evolutionary processes, there is a diversity of organisms and roles in
ecosystems. This diversity of species increases the chance that at least some will survive
in the face of large environmental changes. Biodiversity increases the stability of the
ecosystem.
6.2b Biodiversity also ensures the availability of a rich variety of genetic material that
may lead to future agricultural or medical discoveries with significant value to
humankind. As diversity is lost, potential sources of these materials may be lost with it.
Major Understandings
6.3a The interrelationships and interdependencies of organisms affect the development
of stable ecosystems.
6.3b Through ecological succession, all ecosystems progress through a sequence of
changes during which one ecological community modifies the environment, making it
more suitable for another community. These long-term gradual changes result in the
community reaching a point of stability that can last for hundreds or thousands of years.
PRENTICE HALL REVIEW BOOK TOPIC:
Topic 6- Ecology
EXTENSTION IDEAS:
Visiting a garden center before this experience would be most beneficial!
The class can vote on the best design and then actually create it on school grounds!