|  Overview:
A biome is defined as a large geographic
area containing similar plants and
animals existing under the same climate
conditions. There are eight biomes
in the world: rainforest, savanna,
desert, chaparral, grassland, temperate
deciduous forest, temperate boreal
forest, and tundra. Arizona has most
of these biomes but because of the
scale, many of them can be divided
into smaller regions called biotic
communities. In this unit, students
will have the opportunity to explore
both the biomes of the world and the
biotic communities of Arizona.
The first lesson allows the students
to use actual climate information
(provided by satellite maps) to divide
the world into biomes based on conditions
that they choose. Then, in the second
lesson, they are introduced to the
actual biome classifications for comparison.
After being assigned to groups, the
students get the opportunity to become
experts on one of these biomes. Lesson
3 exposes the students to a new controversy
that has arisen in conservation biology.
The students look at data regarding
biome destruction and use it to analyze
two different approaches to preserving
the biodiversity of the Earth.
Arizona is introduced in the fourth
lesson. The students use online resources
to compare biomes to biotic communities.
Looking at a map of Arizona, they
estimate the amount of land that is
taken up by each of the communities
in the state. Finally, the students
are back in groups and assigned a
particular biotic community. Using
PowerPoint, they must develop a short
commercial to persuade people to visit
this community.
Although these lessons were designed
as a unit, they can stand by themselves
and be taught individually. However,
some activities may require familiarity
with concepts or skills that were
taught in earlier lessons. Make sure
to read through the lesson and determine
what knowledge your students are expected
to know before carrying it out with
the students.
Suggested
Grade Levels:
6–10
Time Frame:
11–16 days (45 minutes each
day)
Enduring Understandings:
After completing the activities contained
in this unit, the student should understand
these basic concepts:
- A number of characteristics,
including elevation and climate,
are used to divide the world into
biomes
- There are numerous ways to classify
biomes, but many biomes, including
rainforest, desert, and tundra,
are commonly accepted
- At smaller scales, like states,
biomes can be divided into smaller,
more specific groups called biotic
communities
- Because of its diverse range
of elevations, Arizona has numerous
biotic communities and is represented
by almost all biomes
- Each biotic community in Arizona
has unique plants, animals and climate
- Increasing human populations
can negatively affect the diversity
of plants and animals
- Conservation solutions are complex
and not all people may agree
Arizona Department
of Education Standards:
The lessons in this unit were designed
to present an integrated approach
to learning. Not only will the students
be introduced to science concepts
dealing specifically with ecosystems,
but they will also use math and technology
in meaningful ways. Through the course
of this unit, they will calculate
percents and ratios, estimate areas
on a map, make pie graphs, use the
Internet to perform research, and
create a multimedia presentation.
Although each lesson includes the
specific performance objectives achieved
for each grade level, the following
general concepts are covered:
| Subject |
Strand |
Lessons |
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Science |
1 |
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| 6 |
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| Math |
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| Technology |
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Download
this unit:
The lessons in this unit are available
in a standard PDF form or can be accessed
directly from the internet by teachers
and students:
Web-based
Lessons: Coming soon
PDF Lessons:
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