A ZOO FOR MITCHELL? 

The town of Mitchell has decided to designate a portion of their community to become the site of a new zoo for the residents of the town. After Mrs. Wede mentioned at the City Council Meeting that a group of 5th graders had been learning about biomes, it was unanimously decided by the City Council that this group of students should act as the designers for this new zoo.

Ewe Got The Job!!

Your job as one of the designers is to research the climate, locations, plants and animals contained within a biome. The Town Council has indicated that it would like the zoo to be set up as six different display areas, one for each biome. It is your responsibility to report back to the City Council with a recommendation of which plants and animals should be included in each of the biomes, as well as the climatic conditions that will be needed to ensure nature's cycle for all the plants and animals. A model will also need to be created so that the Council has a good visual idea of what the enclosure will look like. The Council would also like informational plaques at the beginning of each of the biomes' display areas with a brief summary of the biome, including locations around the world where the biome exists.

Bear in Mind . . .

Each member of the group will be responsible for researching an aspect of your biome; the plants, the animals, the requirements for food chains, and climatic conditions and world locations. You will become the "expert" for that particular area. It is an important job of ecologists to see that biomes are not destroyed by humans. Each group needs to assign a botanist, a zoologist, a biologist, and a meteorologist/cartographer. Find your job description below and read the requirements of your job before you begin your research on the internet.

Botanist

As a botanist, it is your job to research the types of plants that are found in your biome. You need to be specific as to the names and characteristics of the plants you research. Use the resources listed below to help you in your quest for information.

Zoologist

As a zoologist, it is your job to research the types of animals that are found in your biome. You need to be specific as to the names and characteristics of the animals you research. Research the resources listed below to help you in your quest for information.

Biologist

As a biologist, it is your job to research the animals in your biome and how they interrelate in a food chain. You will be responsible for completing a diagram of several food chains for your biome. Research the resources noted below to help you in your search for information.

Meteorologist/Cartographer

As a meteorologist and a cartographer, it is your job to research the climate and world locations of your biome. You will be responsible for completing a map locating your biome locations around the world, as well as make recommendations of how the climate conditions of this zoo biome should be controlled. Research the resources noted below to help you in your search for information.

 Leaping Lizards! Where Do We Start?

1. First review the basics. Visit these websites - 

Just for Kids

The World's Biomes

2. If you need more basic information visit Encarta.

3. Once you are ready, select the biome to which you have been assigned. You can return to this page at any time by using the BACK key or if that doesn't work - pull down menu GO and selecting Zoo Biomes 2.

Fishing for any old information? Don't!

As you research, remember to only concentrate on your particular sub-topic, and not the total environment of your biome. Members within each group will share their acquired information to complete the picture for your biome study, and together you will arrive at recommendations for the City Council on what should be included in the zoo's display. After you have gathered all your information, your group will meet to create the model. I know what you're thinking....iguana get started!

So, Owls you have to do is GET STARTED!

Find your biome below and click on a link to start your research.