4th Grade Ecosystems Project

by Mrs. Tatum
Your culminating assignment for our study of Ecosystems is to research, write an informative essay,
create a visual aid and give an oral presentation about an ecosystem within one of Earths most
common biomes. We will complete most of the research and writing in class. You will be responsible
for creating your visual aid and preparing for your presentation outside of class time.
Presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, March 15th!

General Information
Earths Most Common Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes
Desert
Grasslands
Savanna
Tundra
Tropical Rainforest
Temperate Forest
Taiga Forest

Aquatic Biomes
Marine
Freshwater
Coral Reef

Subtopics for Research and Informative Essay:

-Abiotic Factors: Environmental Conditions i.e. climate, geographical features, etc.
-Biotic Factors: Plant & Animal Adaptations physical & behavioral
(how behavior is determined by environment/how different organisms need specific conditions)

-Roles of Organisms: Food Chains & Webs producers, consumers, & decomposers
Suggested Sources: (check out our Google Classroom for more resources)
http://eschooltoday.com/ecosystems/what-is-a-biome.html
https://animalcorner.co.uk/
http://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/world_biomes.php
Options for Visual Aid:
Poster/tri-fold board
Digital presentation (i.e. Google Slides)
Diorama
Big Book
Have another idea? Run it by the teacher!
Presentation:
2-5 minutes with use of visual aid (NOT reading of essay)

Expectations and Grading Rubrics

Research
! Sources: 2-3 sources with citations
! Information: paraphrased and relevant
! Organization: note-taking with graphic organizer
4
Sources

Information

Organization

I effectively used 2-3

sources, or more.
I correctly cited all of
my sources.
I accurately
paraphrased
information from my
sources.
My information is very
relevant to the topic.
I effectively used a
graphic organizer to
record and organize
information while
researching.

I used 2-3 sources.

I cited my sources.

I used 1-2 sources.

I attempted to cite my
sources.

I used 0-1 sources.

I am missing citations
of my source(s).

I paraphrased
information from my
sources.
I information is mostly
relevant.

I attempted to
paraphrase
information for my
sources.
My information is
somewhat relevant.
I attempted to use a
graphic organizer.

I copied information in
sentences from my
sources.
My information is not
relevant to the topic.

I used a graphic
organizer to record
and organize
information while
researching.

I made little or no
attempt to use a
graphic organizer.

Informative Essay
! Topic Sentence or Paragraph
! Subtopics with Supporting Details (~3 paragraphs)
o Abiotic Factors
o Biotic Factors 2-3 plants and/or animals with adaptations
o Roles of Organisms producers, consumers, and decomposers
! Concluding Sentence or Paragraph
4

WRITING
Topic/
Introduction

I introduce my topic with

a strong beginning that
engages (hooks) the
reader AND tells reader
what the essay will be
about (related to prompt)

Organization I group related facts,

definitions, and details
into indented
paragraphs.

I introduce my topic
clearly with an
appropriate beginning.

I introduce my topic in
the beginning without
engaging the reader.

I do not introduce a clear

topic in the beginning.

My paragraphs are
indented and mostly
comprised of related
details.

My writing is somewhat
organized in sections of
related ideas.

My writing is
unorganized. Related
ideas are not grouped
together.

I use linking words to

I use some linking words
effectively connect ideas. to help connect ideas.

I did not indent when

writing about a new idea
or subtopic.
I misuse or rarely use
linking words to connect
ideas.

I do not use linking words

to connect my ideas.

Supporting
Details/
Evidence

Conclusion

I develop interesting
ideas about my topic.

I develop reasonable
ideas about my topic.

I develop some ideas

about my topic.

My ideas are confusing.

I support ideas with facts

and details.

I include some facts and

details to support ideas.

I include only a few facts

and details to support
ideas.

I provide an engaging
concluding statement or
section related to the
information or
explanation presented.

I provide a concluding
I provide a simple
statement or section
concluding statement.
related to the information
or explanation
presented.

My writing ends abruptly,

without a concluding
statement.

I effectively use content

words and precise
language.

I use some content

words related to my topic
but could use more
precise language in
details.

I do not use content

words or precise
language.

I provide sparse facts

and details and/or
extraneous information to
support ideas.

LANGUAGE
Vocabulary

I use an appropriate
formal voice.

I use an appropriate
formal voice.

I rarely use content

words related to my topic
.
and/or
I need to use more
precise language for
clarity.

I use an inappropriate
informal voice.

I use a somewhat
appropriate formal voice.
Grammar

I use a variety of
sentences that flow.

I use a variety of
sentences with few
grammatical errors that
do not interfere with
meaning or readability.

I use simple sentences

with frequent
grammatical errors that
make my writing
somewhat hard to read
and understand.

I use incomplete
sentences with many
errors that make my
writing very hard to read
and understand.

Conventions My writing is free or

almost free of all
conventional errors.

My writing has a few

conventional errors but
they do not interfere
with meaning or
readability

My writing has frequent

conventional errors that
make it somewhat hard
to read and understand.

My writing has many

conventional errors
making it very hard to
read and understand.

Visual Aid
! Quality
! Supports Presentation
! Accurate and Relevant Information
4

Quality

My visual aid is high

quality created with
much care, creativity
and attention to detail.

My visual aid is
adequate quality.

My visual aid is
somewhat adequate
lacking attention to
detail and effort.

My visual aid is
inadequate appears
sloppy and careless.

Use

My visual aid
effectively supports my
presentation.

My visual aid
adequately supports
my presentation.

My visual aid
somewhat supports
my presentation.

My visual aid minimally

supports my
presentation.

Accuracy
&
Relevance

My visual aid contains

highly accurate and
relevant information.

My visual aid contains

mostly accurate and
relevant information.

My visual aid contains

some accurate and
relevant information

My visual aid contains

very little accurate and
relevant information.

Presentation
! Organized introduction, information (body), and conclusion
! Appropriate and Accurate Facts
! Relevant and Descriptive Details
! Speak Clearly at Understandable Pace and Volume & Make Eye Contact
4
Organization

Content

Presentation
Skills

My presentation is
very organized with a
clear and engaging
introduction, complete
information, and an
interesting conclusion.
I provide many
appropriate and
accurate facts
supported by relevant
and descriptive
details.
I speak very clearly
and expressively, at
an understandable
pace and volume, and
I make eye contact in
ways that engage the
audience.

My presentation is
organized with an
introduction,
information, and
conclusion.

My presentation is
somewhat organized
may have lacked in
one or two areas.

My presentation lacks
organization and may
be missing
components.

I provide some
appropriate and
accurate facts
supported by some
relevant and
descriptive details
I speak clearly, at an
understandable pace
and volume and make
eye contact regularly.

I provide few,
general, and/or
inaccurate facts.
I do not support my
facts with descriptions
or details.
I speak somewhat
clearly with somewhat
appropriate pace,
volume, and/or
expression. I only
make eye contact a
few times.

My presentation lacks
facts and details.

My voice clarity, pace,

volume, and/or
expression make it
difficult for the
audience to
hear/understand me.
I rarely or do not
make eye contact.

SCIENCE STANDARDS
SC.4.3.1 - Explain how simple food chains and food webs can be traced back to plants
SC.4.3.2 Describe how an organism's behavior is determined by its environment
SC.4.5.2 - Describe the roles of various organisms in the same environment
SC.4.5.3 - Describe how different organisms need specific environmental conditions to survive

WRITING STANDARDS
4.W.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
a. Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings),
illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the
topic.
c. Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example. also, because).
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
4.W.9 - Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
b. Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to
support particular points in a text).

LANGUAGE STANDARDS
4.L.2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when
writing.
4.L.3 - Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing. speaking. reading. or listening.
a. Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.
b. Choose punctuation for effect.

SPEAKING AND LISTENING STANDARDS

4.SL.4 - Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts
and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.