Lesson Plan | Active Learning | World: Biomes

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The goal-setting stage aims to clearly establish the learning objectives that students must achieve. By focusing on the identification and understanding of global biomes, this stage seeks to ensure that students can not only recognize but also compare and contrast different regions of the planet in terms of climate, topography, and flora and fauna. These skills are essential for a comprehensive understanding of how ecosystems function and for applying knowledge to environmental and conservation issues.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and describe the main biomes of the world, highlighting their distinctive characteristics and associated ecosystems.

2. Develop the ability to analyze how the physical, climatic, and biological characteristics of biomes influence ecological dynamics such as biodiversity and species adaptation.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage critical reflection on the impact of human activities on biomes and global biodiversity.
2. Promote the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge, such as Biology and Environmental Sciences, in understanding biomes.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students from the beginning, using problem-based situations that stimulate the practical application of prior knowledge about biomes. Additionally, the contextualization seeks to connect the theme to the real world, demonstrating the relevance of biomes to current issues such as environmental conservation and climate change. This approach aims to prepare students for a deeper investigation during classroom activities, effectively and interactively utilizing learning time.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a group of scientists discovers a new plant species that only grows in a specific biome. How could they use knowledge about the characteristics of this biome to protect and conserve this new species?

2. Consider a scenario where a coastal biome is suffering from rising sea levels due to climate change. What environmental and social impacts could be anticipated for local communities and the unique biodiversity of this biome?

Contextualization

Biomes are like the 'personalities' of the Earth, each with its unique characteristics vital for global ecological balance. For example, the Amazon Rainforest not only hosts millions of species but also plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate. Interestingly, the desert biome of the Sahara, which appears extremely hostile, has a fascinating biodiversity, with plants and animals perfectly adapted to extreme conditions.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The development stage in the lesson plan is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge previously acquired about biomes. Through group activities, students will explore, analyze, and present information about specific biomes, utilizing a variety of techniques and resources to deepen their understanding. This approach not only reinforces learning through practice but also promotes teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Biome in Focus

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze and deeply understand a specific biome, identifying its unique characteristics and the threats it faces, while proposing innovative solutions for its preservation.

- Description: In this activity, students will form groups of up to 5 people and choose a specific biome to study in depth. They should create a 'survival kit' that includes information about the flora, fauna, climate, natural resources, and current and potential threats to the chosen biome. Students will be challenged to think about how local communities and biodiversity adapt to the conditions of the biome and propose innovative solutions to possible threats.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five students.

• Choose a biome from the provided list or research one not included (Amazon Rainforest, Sahara Desert, Taiga, Tundra, etc.).

• Develop a 'survival kit' that contains detailed information about the chosen biome.

• Prepare a 10-minute presentation for the rest of the class, explaining the characteristics of the biome, its importance, and the proposed solutions to the identified threats.

• Use visual resources such as maps, graphs, and illustrations to enrich the presentation.

Activity 2 - Simulation of Climate Impacts on Biomes

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand and predict the impacts of climate change on different biomes, developing adaptive and mitigation solutions.

- Description: Students will simulate the impacts of climate change on different biomes. Each group will choose a biome and receive real and projected climate data. They will need to predict how these changes would affect biodiversity, local ecosystems, and human communities. After the simulation, students will discuss in groups the mitigation and adaptation strategies that could be implemented.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to five students.

• Assign each group a biome and provide real climate data and future projections for that biome.

• Ask each group to simulate the impacts of climate change on the biome and prepare a report on their findings.

• Conduct a class discussion where each group will share their predictions and discuss the suggested mitigation and adaptation strategies.

• Prepare a final document with the main conclusions and recommendations from each group.

Activity 3 - Virtual Expedition to the Biomes of the World

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore biomes in an interactive and educational way, developing research and digital communication skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will use virtual reality technology to virtually explore different biomes around the world. They must collect information about the geography, flora, fauna, and human interactions in each visited biome. After the exploration, each group will create a blog or vlog sharing their discoveries with the world.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to five people.

• Set up virtual reality technology for each group to explore a different biome.

• Ask students to collect relevant information during the exploration, focusing on biodiversity and human interactions.

• Each group must create a blog or vlog to share their discoveries, including images and videos captured during the virtual expedition.

• Promote a presentation session where each group will showcase their blog or vlog to the class.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to reflect on their experiences and share learnings with their peers. Group discussion helps reinforce understanding of discussed concepts and promotes a collaborative learning environment. Additionally, by answering key questions, students are encouraged to think critically and apply the knowledge acquired to real and relevant situations, laying the groundwork for future discussions and projects related to the theme of biomes.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, organize a large discussion circle with all groups. Start the discussion by briefly presenting each activity conducted and their main findings. Encourage students to share insights, challenges overcome, and what surprised them most during the explorations. Use questions such as 'Which biome did you find most threatened and why?' and 'What innovative solutions did you propose for the conservation of biomes?' to guide the conversation.

Key Questions

1. What are the main threats facing the studied biomes and how can we combat them?

2. How are climate change impacts affecting biodiversity and communities in different biomes?

3. What role can education and awareness play in the preservation of biomes?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the conclusion is to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, ensuring that students can link theoretical concepts with the practices discussed and the activities carried out. This moment also reinforces the importance of biomes in daily life and in making informed and responsible environmental decisions. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity for students to reflect on the applicability of the concepts learned in broader contexts and to reaffirm their commitment to environmental conservation.

Summary

In this final stage, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed throughout the lesson, recalling the characteristics, biodiversity, threats, and proposed solutions for the studied biomes. It is essential to recapitulate information about the specific biomes explored, such as the Amazon Rainforest, the Sahara Desert, the Taiga, and the Tundra, to ensure that students have understood and retained the knowledge.

Theory Connection

During the lesson, the connection between theory and practice was established through interactive activities and discussions, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge about biomes to practical and simulated situations. This approach not only facilitated understanding of the concepts but also demonstrated the importance of biomes for global ecological balance and for the development of sustainable solutions.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the relevance of biomes to students' daily lives and to current global issues such as biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Understanding and valuing these ecosystems is essential for their protection and maintenance for future generations, a commitment that depends on the knowledge and action of all.