Stage+3+2010

Stage 3 are studying a unit called **Earth Alive - Biodiversity** in Term 1, 2010.

As part of the unit we will be planning and undertaking an investigation into the invertebrate biodiversity of the school grounds. Dr. Noel Tait from Macquarie University will instruct and lead the students into appropriate invertebrate sampling techniques and will also bring high quality microscopes to view specimens that we collect. These sampling and analysis workshops will occur in Weeks 6 and 7 during Science classes.

Students can make a pooter for the investigation at home following this design

These devices allow students to ‘suck’ insects into a collection container. § Make two holes in the lid large enough to fit the hose. Place the lengths of hose into each hole. Place the netting around the end of one hose inside the lid. Seal any gaps with blu tac and screw on the lid. § To use the pooter, place one end of the hose above the (small) insect to be captured. Suck on the other hose (with the netting on the inside). The insect will be sucked into the jar. The netting stops the insect from being sucked into the student’s mouth. § Return animals to capture area after examination.
 * Pooters**
 * Materials needed A clear plastic jar with a screw top lid, ‘Blu Tac’, fine netting, tape, two pieces of flexible hose **
 * Method**



Homework for Term 1

**STAGE 3 EARTH ALIVE BIODIVERSITY MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES HOMEWORK GRID**

This grid describes your homework choices for the unit `Earth Alive’ to be completed by the end of week 9, Term 1. You must complete a **minimum** of **5** individual activities and you must choose at least one activity from each of the five Intelligences. Scroll down below the table to see more details. Feel free to check with me if you have any questions about the work.

Your posters can advertise a species, a concept (e.g. food webs) or an idea (e.g. why we should care about biodiversity) || Create a **diorama** about a natural Australian ecosystem using only recycled materials.
 * **VERBAL** || **LOGICAL** || **INTER & INTRA -PERSONAL** || **VISUAL** || **MUSICAL** ||
 * Construct an **Australian A-Z** using native Australian species for each of the alphabets. You must include some information on each species. || Prepare a **research report** on an endangered Australian species. Include information on population size, threats faced by the species and what is being done to conserve the species. || Work with a **partner** to create two **A3 sized** **advertising posters**. Your target audience is **Year 3 students**.

Your diorama should be no bigger than a shoebox. || Work with a partner or independently to compose a **short song** about Biodiversity and why it is important to humanity. Your audience is Year 3 students. || You may use papier mache, wire, clay or any other materials. || Find a **poem** about the natural world and read it aloud in class to //appropriate// background **music**. || · A Walk in the Desert · My Home in the Trees · The Day I met a Wombat || Make a **list** of all the **Megadiverse countries** in the world. You must also provide a small amount of detail on each country. || ** Imagine ** you are an indigenous person living in a rainforest. Describe the sights and sounds of your everyday life and the ways you would interact with the natural world. || Create a **short** (no more than 3 minute) **media presentation** on biodiversity and its importance to humans. This can be a film, slideshow, cartoon strip or any other medium. || Work with a partner to create a series of **charades** for 5 well known animals. You will act out the charades in class for your classmates. ||
 * Write a **//biopoem//**//*// about a **//wild//** animal of your choice. || Construct a **bar graph** about Australian biodiversity. It must include information about numbers of species in various groups, numbers of native and endemic species, extinct and endangered species etc. || ** Interview ** a friend or family member about their favourite wild creature – use open ended questions to discover their feelings about the creature and why they think it is special. || Make a **3-D model** of an iconic Australian animal or plant.
 * Compose a **short story** using **one** of the following titles
 * Write a **letter to the editor** from the perspective of a wild creature on the topic of “**There’s Nothing Quite like a Good Gum Tree”** || Create a short **quiz** for your classmates about Biodiversity. This should be a fact based quiz and you must also provide the answers. || Imagine you had the power to **save one species from extinction**. Write about the one you would choose and why. || ** Document ** the biodiversity in your neighbourhood using photographs, sketches, leaf rubbings, sounds or any other medium you may prefer. || Find a **piece of music** about the natural world and play it to the class. ||


 * Australian A - Z** This can be in the form of a simple list, a booklet (with illustrations), a slide show or any other means of presentation.

*** Structure of Biopoems** Line 1: First name Line 2: Four descriptive words Line 3: Sibling (brother or sister) of……. Line 4: Loves …….. Line 5: Who fears ……….. Line 6: Who needs………….. Line 7: Who gives………… Line 8: Who would like to see ………… Line 9: Resident of…………. Line 10: Last name

Tom Tall, tasty, feathery, vicious Brother of Big Bird Lover of vegetarians Fears knives Needs to run around Gives nourishment and taste Would like to see all birds unite and revolt Resident of Old MacDonald’s Farm Turkey
 * Example **


 * Short** **Story** - Your writing must illustrate the biodiversity in that particular habitat as well as tell a short story


 * Letter to the Editor -** The wild creature you choose must use the Gum Tree in some way - as shelter/food/nest s etc.


 * Research Report -** Your report should be at least 2 A4 pages long, and must include an introduction, physical description of the species, its habitat and distribution, population size and conservation status, threats to the species and what is being done to conserve it. Please include your references at the end of the report.


 * List of megadiverse countries** - Use these websites as a guide http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/hotspots/index.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadiverse_countries