1. What are land biomes?
Lesson 1

2. Lesson Objectives
I can recognize that the climate of an area determines which biome will develop there.
I can identify characteristics of each of the six major land biomes in my country (U.S.).
I can compare the adaptations of species that help them survive in different biomes.

3. Did you know….
Reptiles and small rodents escape the daytime heat of the desert by burrowing under ground where temperatures are about 85 degrees cooler.
During the winter hibernation, the curled-up jumping mouse sleeps so soundly that you could roll it across the floor without awakening it.

4. Let’s Investigate!
Color the North American Climate Zones Map with the corresponding colors on the table from page B63 in your book.
Color the North American Biomes Map with the corresponding colors from the table on page B63 of your book.

5. Drawing Conclusions
How do areas on the climate map compare to the areas shown in the same color on the biome map?
If an area is too wet to be a desert but too dry to be a forest, what biome would you expect to find there?
Order the biomes from wettest to driest.

6. Let’s Explore Land Biomes!
Read “Earth’s Biomes” on page B64 and B65 with your table. STOP when you get to the end of page B65.
What biome do you live in?
Deciduous Forest

7. Tropical Rain Forest
Read about Tropical Rain Forests on page B66. Take time to look at the pictures on the page and read the captions. STOP when you get to the end of the page.
What factors contribute to the diversity of plant and animal life in a tropical rain forest?
Direct sunlight, warmth, and heavy rainfall.

8. What do you hear? Listen to the sounds of the rain forest.
What type of sounds do you hear?

9. Let’s Explore the Rain Forest More!
Watch this video. Be ready to answer questions about the video for an exit slip from class today.

10. Let’s Explore Deciduous Forests!
Read about the deciduous forest in your book on page B67. STOP at the end of the page. Take time to look at the pictures and read the captions.
What characteristics of deciduous forest trees is most obvious?
Most trees lose their leaves in the fall.

11. Watch This Video to Learn More!
Watch this video about the deciduous forest, you will be asked to answer questions at the end of class.

12. Let’s Explore the Grasslands!
Read about the grasslands on page B68 in your book. STOP when you get to the end of the page. Take time to look at the pictures and captions.
How are grasses adapted to the grassland climate?
Grasses have long slender leaves that conserve water, and spreading shallow roots that take in much of the rain that falls.

13. Let’s Explore the Desert!
Read about the desert on page B69 in your book. Take time to look at the pictures and read the captions. STOP when you get to the end of the page.
How are desert organisms adapted to a dry climate?
Desert plants have thick stems or leaves that store water. Desert animals come out only at night, when it’s cooler.

14. Let’s Learn More!
Watch this video about the desert. Be ready to answer questions when the video is over.

15. Let’s Explore the Taiga!
Read about the Taiga in your book on page B70. Take time to look at the pictures and captions.
Name two differences between deciduous forest and the taiga.
The taiga winter is longer, the diversity varies seasonally, and there are only two layers of plants.

16. Let’s Explore the Tundra!
Read about the tundra on page B71 in your book. Take time to look at the pictures and read the captions. STOP at the end of the page.
How are the tundra plants adapted to the cold climate?
They grow low to the ground, where they are protected from strong winds. They also have densely matted, shallow roots that take water from the thawing ground.

17. Biomes Project
With your assigned group you will research a specific biome more closely. You will create an informative poster about your biome to present to the class. Make sure all aspects are covered according to your scoring rubric. HAVE FUN!