MultiMedia Tools

Lesson Idea Name: Biomes

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 7th Grade
Content Standard Addressed: S7L4. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to examine the
interdependence of organisms with one another and their environments.
d. Ask questions to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to differentiate between Earth’s
major terrestrial biomes (i.e., tropical rain forest, savanna, temperate forest, desert, grassland, taiga, and
tundra) and aquatic ecosystems (i.e., freshwater, estuaries, and marine). (Clarification statement: Emphasis is
on the factors that influence patterns across biomes such as the climate, availability of food and water, and
location.)

Technology Standard Addressed: 6c Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating
or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.

Selected Technology Tool:

☒ Movie (list application): iMovie
☐ Audio (list application):
☐ Other: (list)
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☐ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☒ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Engagement: This is engaging for students because they have autonomy in research and design over the
project.
Representation: Students have autonomy over the research so they will be able to use video, audio and
written sources of information.
Action and Expression: Students will have multiple media available for communication. They will
communicate to their peers using recorded audio, text slides and video.

Lesson idea implementation:

The teacher will facilitate students learning and creating their presentations. Students will research their
projects based on the required information. The project will be introduced to students using a teacher
created video introducing biomes and the project. This project will take 5-7 days.

Students will be assessed based on the requirements of the project which are given to students at the onset
of the project. The final projects will be used to teach students about all biomes. Students will be expert on
their biome and will teach each other about their biome. This is a high level learning activity because students
are using their own research to produce a final product. This lesson will conclude with students sharing their
products with each other. Students will be provided individual feedback and overall group feedback on a
rubric grading sheet.

Spring 2018_SJB
 MultiMedia Tools
Importance of technology: Creating a video in this format with photos and information requires the use of
technology. This technology allows students to put together information they have gathered in a cohesive
way for others to enjoy. Without using this technology students would be stuck using something like
Powerpoint. While this creates nice projects, using a movie format creates a more polished project. This
project will also require students to use audio files and to create their own audio.
Inspiration (optional):

Internet Safety and Student Privacy: Students will be using laptops or iPad’s provided by the school so that
research will not lead students to inappropriate websites. We will not be sharing videos outside of our
classroom so there is no student privacy issues. Students will use photos and videos whose copyrights allow
for private use or educational use. Authors will be attributed either in the video itself or in a separate
document.
Reflective Practice: I think students will find this activity engaging and will be proud of their work product.
Students will enjoy sharing their presentations with each other. As students learn about the other biomes
these videos will be used and the information will be extended and supplemented by the teacher. Students
will review each other’s videos.

Spring 2018_SJB