PLP: Concepts of Biogeography & Astronomy - Parent Lesson Planner

This Concepts of Biogeography & Astronomy contains materials for use with Exploring the World Around You and Exploring the World of Astronomy in the Exploring series.

Features: Each suggested weekly schedule has two to three easy-to-manage lessons that combine reading, worksheets, and vocabulary-building opportunities. Worksheets, quizzes, and tests are perforated and three-hole punched — materials are easy to tear out, hand out, grade, and store. As always, you are encouraged to adjust the schedule and materials needed to best work within your educational program. Space is given for assignments dates. There is flexibility in scheduling. Adapt the days to your school schedule.

Workflow: Students will read the pages in their book and then complete each section of the PLP. They should be encouraged to complete as many of the activities and projects as possible as well. Tests are given at regular intervals with space to record each grade. If used with younger students, they may be given the option of only choosing activities or projects of interest to them and taking open book tests.

Lesson Scheduling: This course should take between 60 to 90 hours to complete, depending on any additional hours spent on added research, bonus activities, essay writing assignments, or suggested lab work, if assigned. Elective courses that take 60 hours are commonly assigned ½ credit, while those 120 hours or more are assigned a full credit; core courses require over 150 hours for a credit. Based on whether this is being used as a core or elective course, make your final credits calculation based on the total hours of coursework completed in the year.

Suggested Course Sequence: The following allows one core area of science to be studied per semester. You can change the sequence of the semesters per the needs or interests of your student; materials for each semester are independent of one another to allow flexibility.

Semester 1: Biogeography

It has been said that our planet is really just an insignificant speck in a vast universe, but that's not true! In fact, the conditions for life found on Earth are supremely unique and make our life here comfortable. This despite the reality that the world around us is also tainted and in need of careful calibration to continue. This book opens a window to the spectacular environments found on our planet, from deserts to the tropics. Researcher and biologist Dr. Gary Parker brings his vast knowledge of ecology to a teaching setting, exploring and explaining ecosystems, population growth, habitats, adaptations, energy problems, and much more. Learn about insect control in California, why mammals have fur, and how sharks maintain “friendships” with small fish known as remora. Exploring the World Around You brings the varieties of our planet's habitats alive to the reader.

Semester 2: Astronomy

Think you know all there is to know about our solar system? You might be surprised at some of the amazing details that you find when you begin Exploring the World of Astronomy! From the rugged surface of the moon to the distant and mysterious constellations, this book provides an exciting educational tour for students of different ages and skill levels. Learn about a blue moon, the 400-year storm on Jupiter, and what is meant by “the zone of life.” Discussion ideas, questions, and research opportunities help expand this great resource on observational astronomy into an unforgettable educational course for middle school to high school students!