Overview:
In preparation for our field trip to explore a Serpentine Meadow Habitat, students will:
· Go on a virtual field trip to the habitat using the Habitats Alive CD-ROM.
· Create an illustrated habitat summary to add to their habitat journals
· Research a plant and an animal online to add to our class Serpentine Meadow Field Guide.
Background:
Serpentinite is California’s state rock. Serpentinite rock and the soil that derives from it cover 1,100 miles of the state. Serpentine Habitat is among the most specialized of California’s plant communities. Plants here must adapt to nutrient-poor soil with high levels of toxic metals, such as asbestos and nickel. Over 200 species of plants live only in serpentine habitat in California, adding greatly to the endemism in the state.
Plants in this habitat are:
· Sparser than in most other habitats
· Adapted to high levels of minerals in the soil
· Often endemic
Animals in this habitat are:
· Mostly passing through
· Adapted to the high mineral content of serpentine plants
· Often dependent on a particular plant
Materials:
· Computers with internet access, and color printer
· Interactive White board
· Habitats Alive CD-ROM
· Google Doc with list of Key Serpentine Plants from Habitats Alive teachers manual
· Google Doc with list of Key Serpentine Animals from Habitats Alive teachers manual
· Google Doc Titled “Our Serpentine Meadow Field Guide “
Lesson:
1. Introduce the Serpentine Meadow Habitat Field Trip by taking the class on a virtual fieldtrip to the habitat using the Habitats Alive CD-ROM.
2. Invite class to discuss what they have learned about the habitat and what they hope to see.
3. Pass out the field research instructions and let the kids explore online to
a. Create their illustrated habitat summary to add to their habitat journals.
b. Research a plant and an animal online to add to our class Serpentine Meadow Field Guide
Remind the class: They must go to Google Docs and sign-up for a plant and an animal. Each student must research a different plant and animal. They will not get credit for a duplicate.
End Product:
Both the Illustrated Habitat Summary and the Serpentine Meadow Field Guide will be created using Google Docs. The students will turn in their habitat summaries by email, as well as printing them to add to their field journals. The teacher will print and laminate the Serpentine Meadow Field Guide when it is complete, and provide copies for the students to use on the actual field trip.
In preparation for our field trip to explore a Serpentine Meadow Habitat, students will:
· Go on a virtual field trip to the habitat using the Habitats Alive CD-ROM.
· Create an illustrated habitat summary to add to their habitat journals
· Research a plant and an animal online to add to our class Serpentine Meadow Field Guide.
Background:
Serpentinite is California’s state rock. Serpentinite rock and the soil that derives from it cover 1,100 miles of the state. Serpentine Habitat is among the most specialized of California’s plant communities. Plants here must adapt to nutrient-poor soil with high levels of toxic metals, such as asbestos and nickel. Over 200 species of plants live only in serpentine habitat in California, adding greatly to the endemism in the state.
Plants in this habitat are:
· Sparser than in most other habitats
· Adapted to high levels of minerals in the soil
· Often endemic
Animals in this habitat are:
· Mostly passing through
· Adapted to the high mineral content of serpentine plants
· Often dependent on a particular plant
Materials:
· Computers with internet access, and color printer
· Interactive White board
· Habitats Alive CD-ROM
· Google Doc with list of Key Serpentine Plants from Habitats Alive teachers manual
· Google Doc with list of Key Serpentine Animals from Habitats Alive teachers manual
· Google Doc Titled “Our Serpentine Meadow Field Guide “
Lesson:
1. Introduce the Serpentine Meadow Habitat Field Trip by taking the class on a virtual fieldtrip to the habitat using the Habitats Alive CD-ROM.
2. Invite class to discuss what they have learned about the habitat and what they hope to see.
3. Pass out the field research instructions and let the kids explore online to
a. Create their illustrated habitat summary to add to their habitat journals.
b. Research a plant and an animal online to add to our class Serpentine Meadow Field Guide
Remind the class: They must go to Google Docs and sign-up for a plant and an animal. Each student must research a different plant and animal. They will not get credit for a duplicate.
End Product:
Both the Illustrated Habitat Summary and the Serpentine Meadow Field Guide will be created using Google Docs. The students will turn in their habitat summaries by email, as well as printing them to add to their field journals. The teacher will print and laminate the Serpentine Meadow Field Guide when it is complete, and provide copies for the students to use on the actual field trip.