Hermitage
Making Biomes Accessible
Henrico Learner Profile (HLP) 6C Focus
Multi-grade Level - Environmental Science
SOL/Standard
ENV.6 The student will describe that stability and change impact both populations and ecosystems. ENV.11 The student will investigate and understand that global climate change is occurring.
Learning Experience
Environmental Science students were tasked to make learning about biomes accessible to all students. They collaborated with multilingual students and Integrated Services students to understand barriers some learners face in understanding content. Environmental Science students then designed biome boxes considering the 5 senses and how to eliminate the barriers other students might face when learning.
What did the student(s) learn about this experience:
"It was cool being able to access biome information in my language. I understood better." - Multilingual Student
What did the student(s) learn about this experience:
"Thank you for including us! I loved the sounds" - Integrated Services Student
What did the teacher enjoy about this experience:
"What a magical experience! The faces of my integrated service students said everything! We loved sharing our experience in considering disabilities when designing instruction with Ms. Kirk's classes!" - Sadie Hodges
Additional Pictures, Media & Artifacts
Biome Boxes include visual elements specific to each biome incorporating textures, animals, water effects, and accurate temperatures.
Digital Biomes offered facts, pictures, data graphs specific to each biome.
Makey-Makey for audio accessiblity. Sounds and descriptions of the biomes were incorporated into the biomes as well as recordings in various languages for our multilingual students.
The Museum is set up to be wheelchair accessible.
Thank you to the innovators who helped make this experience possible:
Karen Heldorfer, integrated services teacher
Sadie Hodges, integrated services teacher
Makenzie Kirk, environmental science teacher
Katy Pierce, ESL teacher
Melissa Woltz, ILC