Aquatic Biomes – Middle Fall

    $157.07

    “I enjoyed this class very much and learned SO MUCH from it. I think I probably learned the most on the second-to-last week when we talked about the specialized biomes. I didn’t even consider that some of those were existent or possible! I also didn’t know that there is a kind of dolphin that lives in freshwater. I also liked being able to present to the class at the end of the session.” ~Student O.P.

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    InstructorProf. Becky Mentzer Riethmeier
    Content LevelsGrades 7-8 • Junior High
    Grades 9-10 • Lower High School
    Course Length8 Weeks
    Live Webinars Held OnMondays, 2:00 - 2:50 PM Pacific - Middle Semester - 10/16/23 - 12/16/23

    Did you know that water covers about three-fourths of the earth’s surface? In this immense stretch of habitat live some of the most fascinating creatures in the world.

    We will study freshwater and marine biomes, giving students many jumping-off points to make their own study of these aquatic habitats. Students will explore the major freshwater biomes of the world: ponds & lakes, streams & rivers, and wetlands.

    We will also explore the major marine biomes of the world: oceans (including the various ecosystems within the ocean), coral reefs, and estuaries. We learn about the abiotic features that define those biomes, examine the flora and fauna of each biome, and determine what adaptations are needed to make it possible to live there.

    If you love water and the things that live in it, or just want to add a little more ecology into your science curriculum, this class is for you!

    What to expect in the Required section in the classroom each week:

    • Complete a reading from a provided Internet link.
    • Participate in a weekly forum, either sharing their reflections from the reading, or answering questions about it.
    • Nearly every-other week, complete a project, based on student research.

    What to expect in the Highly Suggested & Optional sections in the classroom each week:

    • To excite learners and to add depth to the subject matter, curated resources, including websites & videos, are provided.
    • Our last week is “student presentation week” where students learn about a specialized marine habitat and teach their classmates about it!

    What to expect during the weekly webinar:

    • Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
    • Primary instruction and guided discussions are provided during live webinars.
    • Active Participation (via the microphone and chat) in online class discussions.

    Before taking this course, students should be able to: 

    • Read at a solid 6th-grade level or above.
    • Write a paragraph independently.

    Students should be willing to:

    • Actively participate (via the microphone) in the class discussion.
    • Encourage class discussion by adding their questions/ideas in the chat window during the webinar.
    • Respond with positive and encouraging comments on their classmates’ posts in the classroom forums.

    Required books & materials: