What on Earth is a Biome?

Lesson 1     Lesson 2     Lesson 3     Lesson 4 

STUDENT LEVEL:  Grades 3-5

MAJOR GOALS and INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
    1.  Students will become familiar with what a biome is.
    2.  Students will identify the different biomes on earth.
    3.  Students will become familiar with the vocabulary associated with biomes.
    4.  Students will learn where the different biomes are located on earth.
    5.  Students will use technology to enhance their research, create maps, fill-in data sheets, and import pictures to illustrate the biomes.

TIMELINE:  4 classroom periods- one for each lesson

SETTING:   science classroom, homeroom classroom, computer lab

ASSESSMENTS:
    1.  Vocabulary data sheet
    2.  Physical characteristics of biomes data sheet
    3.  Biome Map of western hemisphere
    4.  Unit test

STANDARDS:
    1.  Students demonstrate understanding of organisms and their environments.
    2.  Students demonstrate understanding of change over time.
    3.  Students demonstrate understanding of physical positions on earth.
    4.  Students demonstrate understanding of earth's diversity.
    5.  Students will write a report of information.

BOOKS/MAGAZINES:

Troll Book Company publishes a variety of soft covered books on the earth's biomes.
National Geographic Magazine shows the earth's biome diversity as regular featured articles.
The American Museum of Natural History publishes a monthly magazine which often features articles and pictures of various earth regions.

WEB SITES:
 http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/webunits/biomes
This site has excellent pictures of all biomes, and lessons that were done by other teachers and students as part of the University of Richmond's study.
http://encarta.msn.com
This site is an extension of Encarta Encyclopedia.  The students can research all biomes here.
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/
This site is the research search engine from the Missouri Botanical Garden site.
http://www.wwf.org
This site is for the World Wildlife Fund which has pictures and information on the various life forms on earth.
http://www.studyweb.com/
This site is an extensive search engine for students and teachers.  Put in any word or topic and you will be there!
http://www.yahooligans.com 
This is the children's version of the search directory Yahoo! 
http://www.m-w.com/
Merriam-Webster OnLine provides a dictionary, thesaurus and variety of word games and products.