Biomes are ecosystems of various climates, landscapes, plants, and animals. Teaching students about biomes helps them understand the natural world and aligns well with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Here, we’ll explore biomes and learn 5 engaging activities for grades 5-8 teachers to bring this topic to life in their classrooms.
What are Biomes?
Biomes are large regions with specific climate conditions, plant communities, and wildlife. Major biomes include deserts, forests, grasslands, tundra, and aquatic environments. Each biome supports unique ecosystems and is crucial to the planet’s biodiversity and climate regulation.
5 NGSS-Aligned Activities to Teach About Biomes
1. Biome Research Presentation
- Description: Students research a biome and create a multimedia presentation or poster that covers its climate, plants, animals, and human impact.
- NGSS Alignment: 5-ESS3-1 (Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment).
- Implementation: Assign different biomes to student groups. Use library resources and internet research. Encourage creativity in presenting their findings using slideshows, posters, or videos.
2. Biome Climate Graphs
- Description: Students gather climate data (temperature and precipitation) for different biomes and create graphs to compare and contrast them.
- NGSS Alignment: MS-ESS2-6 (Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates).
- Implementation: Provide students with data sets for different biomes. Use graphing software or graph paper for manual plotting. Discuss how climate affects the characteristics of each biome and the adaptations of the organisms living there.
3. Interactive Biome Map
- Description: Students collaborate to create a large world map that identifies and labels the major biomes, including key characteristics and examples of native species.
- NGSS Alignment: 4-ESS2-2 (Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features).
- Implementation: Use a large piece of paper. Have students draw and color the biomes, then add labels and images. This continuous project can grow as they learn more about each biome.
4. Biome Environmental Impact Study
- Description: Students investigate human impacts on different biomes and propose solutions to lessen negative effects.
- NGSS Alignment: MS-ESS3-3 (Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment).
- Implementation: Divide students into groups, each focusing on a different biome. They research human activities (deforestation, pollution, urbanization) affecting their assigned biome and present their findings. They then brainstorm and propose actionable solutions, creating posters or presentations to share with the class.
Description: Students will create a mock social media account for a specific biome. They will post updates, share pictures, and interact like the biome itself, highlighting key features, wildlife, climate conditions, and human interactions.
NGSS Alignment:
- MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.
- 5-ESS2-1: Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
- 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
Implementation:
Assign Biomes: Divide students into groups and assign each group a specific biome (e.g., desert, rainforest, tundra, grassland, aquatic).
- Research: Have students research their assigned biome, focusing on climate, typical flora and fauna, and human impacts. Provide guidelines on credible sources and proper citation.
- Create: Students sketch out images, write captions, and add hashtags. Each post should highlight a different aspect of the biome, such as location, animal adaptation, or conservation issues.
These activities make learning about biomes fun, interactive and ensure students meet key science standards. By immersing students in hands-on and research-based projects, teachers can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse ecosystems that make up our planet.
