Overview of Lesson

A foundational concept underlying multiple areas of science is understanding how different regions of the Earth have very different climates, how each climate supports a unique array of plant and animal life, and provides unique challenges and opportunities, e.g. growing food crops, for humans living there. This lesson is to embark on a path toward gaining core ideas concerning this topic.

Bear in mind that your objective, here at the beginning, is only to familiarize kids with the fact that the Earth is highly diverse, different regions bearing little resemblance to one another. Of course, such studies may go on to any depth as one pursues why different regions of the Earth have such different climates, how different flora and fauna are adapted to those climates, human impacts, etc. Some of these avenues are pursued in later lessons. However, the real hazard in the beginning is tuning kids off by overwhelming them with to much information/too many facts. This is a hazard to be avoided. This lesson may be extended over several sessions, gradually adding new material and reviewing what has been covered before.

Begin with a globe in hand and a world map depicting the world’s major biomes (major kinds of ecosystems). (Type into your browser: 6 major biomes of the word map). Choose a least complex map with a key. Relate areas of the world map to areas on the globe.

Let kids choose where they would like to explore.  Identify the biome of that location and then pull up pictures of that biome. (Type into your browser: _______ biome images/ Put the name of the biome in the blank.) Let kids observe and discuss the plant and animal life and topography as they will.

Ask: Why do you think this biome is as it is? Guide them to consider probable temperature and rainfall parameters. (A simple depiction of warm/cold, wet/dry conditions that support different biomes can be found at:

http://www.rpdp.net/sciencetips_v3/L8C4.htm

For further details regarding biomes including aquatic biomes see:

http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/

How do your kids respond to this exercise? Please post questions or comments.