MIssion Resources Curriculum overview

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1 Curriculum overview Vocabulary Concepts Biodiversity Deforestation Habitat Predator Prey Territory Animals Jaguar Scarlet Macaw Golden Lion Tamarin Red Howler Monkey Capybara Giant River Otter Black Spider Monkey Other Vaccination Repellent Torrential Solitary Retractable Units of Measurements lbs (pound) ft (feet) in (inch) Explorer Login JuniorExplorers.com/login Username Password Mission Code: Unit Overview Through this unit on Junior Explorers Mission Amazon, your students will partake in an adventure to find a jaguar missing from its habitat in the Amazon Rainforest because of deforestation. Your class will explore the rich biodiversity of the rainforest, and how deforestation due to human activity disrupts the ecosystem of these species. Along the way, students will develop technological literacy and key researching skills, as they engage with software and supplementary materials. Upon completion, your class will have not only covered content area that meets NGSS and Common Core standards, but a journey that crystallizes concepts in a memorable way through meaningful and purposeful engagement. NGSS Standards K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment 3-LS4-4 Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. Common Core ELA Anchor Standards Reading: R.1 Writing: W.2 W.9 Speaking and Listening: SL.1 SL.2 reading Practices Literacy in maps & geographical features Content relevance in resource materials Compare & contrast Retaining vocabulary using context cues Science Practices Defining Problems Developing & Using Models Constructing Explanations Designing Solutions Obtaining & Evaluating Information 1

2 Curriculum overview Synopsis Wildlife is struggling to survive in the changing Amazon rainforest due to deforestation The rainforest has a high amount of biodiversity Deforestation has destroyed the habitat for many species, forcing them to move away or go extinct, decreasing the biodiversity Jaguars are solitary predators and have become endangered because there is not enough territory and prey to share among the population Essential Questions How is deforestation affecting the local wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest? How is deforestation changing the landscape and physical environment? What is biodiversity and how is it impacted by human activity? How does a smaller rainforest impact the local wildlife and habitat? What is territorial behavior and how does it affect survival of endangered species? How have jaguars adapted to the Amazon Rainforest (including behaviors and traits)? Materials Curriculum Guide & Mission Mission Booklet (PDF) Animal Cards (PDF) Tablets; Smartboard; or Desktop Biome Map Field Journal (not included) Curriculum Objectives Students will be able to explain the consequences of deforestation on the land and the species living within the Amazon Rainforest Students will be able to make observations of biodiversity in the rainforest, and articulate how changes in the environment directly impact biodiversity Students will be able to connect deforestation to human activity, and thus infer the impact humans have on the balance of the Amazon ecosystem s food chain 2

3 Chapter guide A step-by-step guide of the Amazon Mission with recommended activities and questions Key Activities Questions of Inquiry 1) Intro: Location/Context Share personal knowledge, stories or trips to the rainforests. Hypothesize about the climate of the Amazon based on personal knowledge of what you heard about the Amazon. 2) Climate & Clothing Compare/contrast the seasons of the Amazon to your hometown. Remembering what we packed, how does each item we packed become useful? Imagine your hometown had the climate described of the Amazon! How would the landscape change? How would you adapt to this change? What would you wear to go outside? 3) Jaguar Endangerment (Threatened Species) Define territorial behavior, see website: For fun, observe animals watching themselves in the mirror (Pay attention to Jaguar s reaction): youtu.be/gamylwohl14 Have students organize into groups of 3 4, and give a set of different colored post-its for each group to indicate territory within the classroom. Have students create a code (sound or gesture) to indicate when their geographical territory is being trespassed. Allow group members to communicate in their code when someone is trespassing. Explain how animals similarly defend their territories through sounds, scent markings or fights, and how territories help animals in raising their young, secure less competition for food, and make a place less crowded. 4) Jaguar Features Create a table in the field journal with two columns: body part and advantage; record each body part of the jaguar and how it helps for survival. Can a jaguar, survive in your current habitat? Why or why not? Fill Animal Card - Record the information on the screen into the blank spaces of the animal card. Measure Size - As a class, gather together your rulers and measure out how big the jaguar is, marking a contour on the floor, or another place to document size. Jaguars have conical teeth that help them tear meat. Draw simple conical teeth and compare how they re similar or different from your own teeth. Kids may draw something like this: 5) Scarlet Macaw Fill Animal Card and Measure Size of Wingspan Why you think it helps for the scarlet macaw to have a tough beak in the Amazon? Create a table in your journal that will best serve the purpose of comparing the same features as they differ between the two snakes. 3

4 Chapter guide 6) Red Howler Monkey vs. Golden Tamarin Monkey Ask students to construct a venn diagram in their journals to compare and contrast features between the two monkeys. Ask students to complete task first on their own. Divide class into halves and collaborate to decipher what word belongs on the lines; the first team deciphers the word, while the second team then spells it out. Fill Animal Card & Measure Size 7) Capybara Color Animal Card & Measure Size In your Field Journal, define predator and prey. 8) Deforestation Refer to Recommended Lesson Plan 9) Campsite Define food chain. Play the food chain game in the mission and document in your journal the species that make up the three different food chain examples. What are other ways human actions cause harm to territorial animals? 10) Giant River Otter Fill Animal Card & Measure Size Cool Facts from National Geographic: 11) Spider Monkey Visit: to learn more about different dog calls and what they mean. Ask students to demonstrate sounds/calls humans make to express emotions and reactions, and think of how they parallel back to animal calls. Fill Animal Card & Measure Size Take a moment to review all the animal cards collected so far, and infer definitions of the term biodiversity. Then, take notes on what it means, and why biodiversity is important to sustain a balance within an ecosystem? 12) Discovering Jaguar In their Field Journals have students respond to the prompt: How can you relate to the jaguar s experience? Have you struggled because someone took something away from you? What do you look for when you re searching for a new home food/water/ easy accessibility/protection? 13) Mission Giveback & Microactions What did we learn as Junior Explorers about disrupting habitats through drastic actions like deforestation? How might our disruption interfere with territorial animals? How might we be disrupting biodiversity? 4

5 multimedia Resources Multimedia Resources: Teachers Trea Extinction in Brazil (NPR) Devastating Facts about Deforestation Change of the Amazon Rainforest (NASA) Multimedia Resources: Students Books Biodiversity of Rain Forests by Greg Pyers If I Ran the Rain Forest: All About Tropical Rain Forests by Bonnie Worth Videos Nasa Timelapse of Amazon Deforestation Jaguar Adapting to New Enviornment Website Rainforest Alliance 5

6 Recommended Lesson Recommended Grades: 2 4 NGSS 3-LS4-4 Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. 3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. CCSS Reading: R.1 R.7 Writing: W.4 W.9 Speaking and Listening: SL.1 SL.2 SL.4 Vocabulary Concepts Biodiversity Deforestation Habitat Materials Slideshow (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.), or large poster board Markers Field Journal Books (Rainforest; deforestation) Computers (Internet) Lesson Objectives Students will be able to articulate arguments for and against deforestation, by researching evidence, extracting patterns of key points, and organizing points in a logical order for the purpose of a comprehensive presentation. Students will be able to visually represent their ideas in the form of a pitch deck presentation, where they will present their argument in a concise and efficient manner using minimal text and meaningful symbols or graphics in under 5 minutes. Students will be able to collaborate on solutions to problems by communicating their perspectives clearly, and suggesting solutions that take both perspectives into consideration Students will be able to invent a sustainable model for living in the Rainforest by reflecting and implementing what they have learned into a boundless, imaginative, creative solution. Intro Field Journal Describe how your life would change if your neighborhood and home was one day separated by a large hole in the ground, distancing you from your grocery stores, your school and your friends? What happens to your family s ability to survive and interact with others in the short-term and long-term? Activity Research Divide the class in half, and present a deforestation trial: One group for, explaining why deforestation is necessary for communities to feed themselves, travel, produce supplies and stabilize the price of demand. Resources: Infographic (see Section 2): Article (see section on Reasons for Deforestation): One group against, explaining why deforestation is harmful for biodiversity, and humans in the long-term. Resources: Website (see section on Impacts): Article (see section on What is Deforestation Effect?): 6

7 Recommended Lesson Recommended Grades: 2 4 Phase 1: General Research With the links mentioned, and other resources provided by the teacher, allow for a general researching period to look for patterns, surprising facts, and unanswered questions Have students share their findings on a communal list, tallying up when the same findings are repeated amongst students As a whole class, compare the findings that are reoccuring and most relevant, and withdraw the 3-4 key arguments student groups will pursue to support with evidence Phase 2: Key Argument Research In pairs, have groups divide up and carry out further research to support their selected key argument, keeping a record of findings with bookmarks and in their Field Journal Phase 3: Pitch Deck Presentation* Regroup and design a pitch deck that covers the 1) Problem (ie which stance the groups takes) 2) The Key Arguments on why this is a problem 3) Evidence that was found, that supports each key argument, 4) an Ask that the group has to help resolve some aspect of the problem they just described Create pitch decks as a Powerpoint or hand-made deck of posters, that includes simple, concise text, infographics and organized icons to illustrate their point visually and compliment their verbal presentation Assess that the order of the presentation for comprehensive logic of evidence presented and a nice flow Phase 4: Presentations Allow each group to present their pitch deck while the other group take organized notes in their field journal divided up in columns for 1) Problem, 2) Key Arguments 3) Evidence 4) Ask Allow time for questions and answers by the opposing team to the presenting team Solutions & Assessment Have a pair of for experts consult with a pair of against experts Together, construct a table that records the key arguments from each side, and a column in the middle where the group suggests solutions that appeases both sides Then, write a report to the Government of Brazil, documenting the concerns along with their solutions as consultant and experts of both sides * What s A Pitch Deck? A short 4-5 slide presentation One slide per segment: 1) Intro/Problem 2) Key Argument 3) Evidence 4) Ask Presentation is 3 5 minutes total A good deck has... Few words, which only highlight elements of the verbal presentation that you want to resonate with the audience More meaningful graphics/ illustration/photographs that serve as a visual language to simplify the verbal presentation for your visual learners in the audience Less is more; at least 30pt font (to prevent overwriting); nicely composed Explain why those are solutions that are addressing both sides of the argument. Explain the short and long term effect of these solutions. Closure & Relevance In your field journal, imagine and draw a rainforest that is sustainable for you to live in harmony with the other species. Consider the issues brought up in the pitch decks (what was the for ask, and what was the against ask), and invent ways to resolve this in your design. In the drawing, be sure to illustrate where you will live, your food source, and how you will travel. See an example of living and going to school in a sustainable structure: green_school_dream?language=en 7

8 Name: Complete the following quiz Junior Explorer and see what you learn about the Amazon. 1. The Amazon is the a. Largest rainforest in the world b. Only forest in the world c. Temperate forest of Brazil d. River forest of Peru 2. How many seasons are there in the Amazon? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d An essential gear to carry to the Amazon rainforests is, a. Cap b. Darts c. Mobile phones d. Rain poncho 4. What is an endangered species? a. An animal that puts other animals in danger. b. A jaguar that loses its habitat. c. An animal or a plant that is in danger of becoming extinct. d. An animal or plant that is not found on earth anymore. 5. What are the spots on a jaguar s coat known as? a. Moons b. Dots c. Rosettes d. Dunes 6. A jaguar s night vision is, a. 3 times better than humans b. 6 times better than lions c. Same as humans d. 6 times better than humans 7. Which is the world s largest parrot? a. Rose ringed parakeet b. Blue macaw c. Scarlet macaw d. Budgerigar 8. The scarlet macaw usually breaks nuts by, a. Using stones to break it open b. Using its beak c. Using its feet d. Throwing on the ground 9. Where does a golden lion tamarin like to sleep? a. Natural caves b. Near river streams c. Tree holes d. Thick bushes 10. Which one is a kind of a rodent that barks to warn of danger? a. Mouse b. Otter c. Golden lion tamarin d. Capybara

9 11. Which of the following statements is true? a. Jaguars are the top predators found in the Amazon rainforest b. Jaguars are excellent swimmers c. Jaguars have a huge territory where they like to live alone d. All of the above 12. Which of the following animals is also called River Wolf? a. Giant River Otter b. Spider Monkey c. Capybara d. Golden Lion Tamarin 13. How do spider monkeys of the Amazon warn others of a predator nearby? a. Jumping on tree branches b. Swinging on their tails c. Closing their eyes rapidly d. Sounding alarm calls 14. What is the main threat to the habitats of jaguars, macaws and other animals of the Amazon rainforest? a. Rains b. Deforestation c. Pollution d. Forest fires 15. A commonly used mode of transportation in the Amazon is, a. Canoe b. Air boat c. Bicycle d. Helicopter

10 Name: Complete the following quiz Junior Explorer and see what you learn about the Amazon. 1. The Amazon is the a. Largest rainforest in the world b. Only forest in the world c. Temperate forest of Brazil d. River forest of Peru 2. How many seasons are there in the Amazon? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d An essential gear to carry to the Amazon rainforests is, a. Cap b. Darts c. Mobile phones d. Rain poncho 4. What is an endangered species? a. An animal that puts other animals in danger. b. A jaguar that loses its habitat. c. An animal or a plant that is in danger of becoming extinct. d. An animal or plant that is not found on earth anymore. 5. What are the spots on a jaguar s coat known as? a. Moons b. Dots c. Rosettes d. Dunes 6. A jaguar s night vision is, a. 3 times better than humans b. 6 times better than lions c. Same as humans d. 6 times better than humans 7. Which is the world s largest parrot? a. Rose ringed parakeet b. Blue macaw c. Scarlet macaw d. Budgerigar 8. The scarlet macaw usually breaks nuts by, a. Using stones to break it open b. Using its beak c. Using its feet d. Throwing on the ground 9. Where does a golden lion tamarin like to sleep? a. Natural caves b. Near river streams c. Tree holes d. Thick bushes 10. Which one is a kind of a rodent that barks to warn of danger? a. Mouse b. Otter c. Golden lion tamarin d. Capybara

11 11. Which of the following statements is true? a. Jaguars are the top predators found in the Amazon rainforest b. Jaguars are excellent swimmers c. Jaguars have a huge territory where they like to live alone d. All of the above 12. Which of the following animals is also called River Wolf? a. Giant River Otter b. Spider Monkey c. Capybara d. Golden Lion Tamarin 13. How do spider monkeys of the Amazon warn others of a predator nearby? a. Jumping on tree branches b. Swinging on their tails c. Closing their eyes rapidly d. Sounding alarm calls 14. What is the main threat to the habitats of jaguars, macaws and other animals of the Amazon rainforest? a. Rains b. Deforestation c. Pollution d. Forest fires 15. A commonly used mode of transportation in the Amazon is, a. Canoe b. Air boat c. Bicycle d. Helicopter