Introduction
The Greenhouse Effect
It's 
amazing how our earth’s atmosphere works! Combining different elements to make the perfect conditions for many living things. But how does it all work? How does the earth stay the ideal temperature for plants to live and grow? It’s called The Greenhouse Effect, without it earth would be too cold for life to exist!
Task
Your task today will be to research the green house effect, write a brief explanation of it, and then build your own open terrarium. A terrarium has its own mini-climate, like a green house. Sunlight enters through the glass and warms the air, soil, and plants. The glass then holds in some of the warmth. There are lots of different ways to build a terrarium , some large or small, open or closed, there are also many different types of plants used in them . Today you will be creating a small open terrarium using succulents, which are plants that are adapted to dry environments . Once your project is finished or the alloted amount of time has passed, you will present you explanation and terrarium to the class.
Process
1. To begin you will be placed into groups of four.
2. Once in your groups you will research the greenhouse effect, using the websites provided:
- http://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-effect/
- http://www.enwin.com/kids/conservation/greenhouse_effect.cfm
3. Each group will then write a brief explanation on their understanding of the greenhouse effect.
4. Once your explanations are complete you will go to the following website and read on how to build your own terrarium:
5. When ready, your teacher will provide you with the necessary materials to then create your very own terrarium.
Materials Required
- clear glass container
- rocks
- activated charcoal
- potting soil
- succulents
6. Build your terrarium by following the steps on climate kids.
7. Present to the class your explanation and your terrarium.
Remember you will be graded on your participation with both the research and practical parts of this assignment, your use of time and your presentation to the class. Don't forget to clean up after yourselves as that will also be taken into consideration in your evaluation.
Evaluation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Grade | |
| Participation During Research | - did not participate | - barely participated | - moderate participation |
- fully participated - contributed to the research |
|
| Participation During Practical | - did not participate | - barely participated | - moderate participation | - fully participated | |
| Presentation/ Terrarium |
- unorganized - material wasn't relevant -unfinished terrarium |
- somewhat organized - little information on topic - finished terrarium but didn't follow directions |
- organized - relevant information - finished terrarium - followed directions |
- well organized - detailed information - finished terrarium - followed directions - |
|
| Use of Time/ Tidiness |
- project not completed in alloted time - work area left untidy |
- project completed - work area left untidy |
- project completed - tidy work |
- project completed - work area tidy - materials put away |
* Students will be graded on a individual basis
Conclusion
Great work class!!!
You should now have a good understanding of how the greenhouse effect works; just like a greenhouse the sun shines through the atmosphere, warming the earth! By creating your own terrariums you will now be able to observe how they are like a greenhouse, and in turn be able to visualize how our earth’s atmosphere works. We will continue to monitor our terrariums growth and changes.