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What on Earth is a Biome?
Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson
3 Lesson 4
AIM: What are some vocabulary words associated with biomes?
MOTIVATION: Have the children brainstorm different
words and terms they need to know about biomes. Refer to the pictures
pulled from the web and different books from lesson 1.
PROCEDURE:
1. Create a semantic web from the brainstormed
vocabulary words. Use KidPix or Superprint
to create a semantic web on the computer.
2. Create a database for a vocabulary sheet.
Children can use on-line dictionary or class
dictionary, or another reference source to fill in the
database of vocabulary words.
Merriam-Webster OnLine
Merriam-Webster Language Center provides a dictionary, thesaurus and variety
of word games and products: http://m-w.com/
3. Review vocabulary words with the class,
reading and explaining all the meanings.
4. Answer any questions about any of the words,
if necessary.
SAMPLE VOCABULARY DATABASE:
| BIOME |
a large area on earth that shares similar abiotic (non living)
and biotic (living) factors. |
| ABIOTIC |
the non living factors, such as climate conditions, (average yearly
temperature, high and low temperatures, amount and season of rainfall),
winds, sunlight, latitude, and soil type, in a region. |
| LATITUDE |
The distance a region is either north or south from the equator. |
| EQUATOR |
An imaginary line around the earth, equally distant from both the north
pole and south pole. |
| BIOTIC FACTORS |
The type, variety, and number of living things in the region.
These are all determined by the abiotic factors. |
| HABITAT |
The region where a plant or animal naturally lives. |
| PREDOMINANT VEGETATION |
The type of plant life that is characteristic of the biome. |
| CHARACTERISTIC ANIMAL LIFE |
The type of animals that are characteristic of the biome. |
| OCEAN |
The body of salt water that covers more than two thirds of earth. |
| TUNDRA |
Large area of frozen, treeless ground, with little rainfall. |
| TAIGA |
An area with long, cold winters, and short, cool summers. |
| TEMPERATE FOREST |
An area of cold winters, warm summers, and moderate rainfall.
They are generally located in middle latitudes. |
| GRASSLAND |
An area with very cold winters, very hot and dry summers. Generally
there is little to moderate rainfall. |
| RAIN FOREST |
An area located near the equator, with hot, humid and rainy conditions.
The temperature is constant. |
| DESERT |
An area with hot, dry days, little to no rainfall, and cool nights. |
ACTIVITIES: Have children do the research to fill in the
database from the web site above.
FOLLOW-UP: This lesson will lead into lesson
3 -
"What are the physical (abiotic) factors of the earth's major biomes?"
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