IOWA 4-9 SCIENCE PROJECT

TEACHER GUIDE for: Biomes Lowell Wiele
ECOLOGY.780 Grade 7-8

CONCEPT OBJECTIVE:
Students will identify biomes and find the physical
characteristics and organisms of each biome.

PROCESS OBJECTIVE:
Thinking skills developed in this cycle are observing,
inferring, and recording.

TEACHER NOTES:
This activity can be introduced in one class period and have
a carry over into several class periods.

MATERIALS:
Students will need reference materials and colored pencils.

EXPLORATION:
Give the students a map of the world, or of North, South,
and Central America. List the following Biomes on the chalk
board: Tundra, Coniferous Forest, Deciduous Forest, Tropical
Rain Forest, Grassland, Desert, Fresh Water, and Salt Water.
Using colored pencils the students should color each biome a
different color and make a key for the map.
Ecotones are areas where one biome changes to another.
students should use a pencil to shade the ecotone areas on
the map.
Ask the following questions:
. Which biome is the largest?
. Which is the second largest?
. Which is the smallest?
. In which biome do you live?
. Are the plants and animals characteristic for your
biome present where you live? Explain.
. What is the most extensive ecotone shown on the map?

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:
Students should make a three column chart listing the the
eight biomes in the first column. In the second column the
students should list the physical characteristics of each
biome. Have the students list the organisms present in each
biome in the last column.

APPLICATION:
The student should divide their paper into five columns. In
the first column they should list each of the eight biomes.
Label the other columns as follows: Solar Energy, Rainfall,
Temperature, and Soil. Research the information and fill in
the chart you prepared.
. Are different organisms found in more than one biome?
Explain.
. What effect have humans had on each of the biomes?