It’s never too early to learn about biomes! Defined as large regions with distinct characteristics (such as climate, latitude, flora, fauna, and soil), biomes share information about the wilderness, wildlife, and ourselves.
Enjoy our top 5 tips on teaching biomes to your kids/students!
1. Make it Personal
Asking questions that directly connect biome facts to your kids’ lives is a sure-fire way to generate interest. After sharing definitions and examples, ask the following:
Which biome do we live in?Which biome does Grandma/Grandpa live in?Have you travelled to a different biome than where we live now? Which one? How do you know it’s different?
2. Act it Out
Feel free to get silly with this one!
For the little ones – play biome charades: Kids perform as animals while classmates guess the appropriate biome.For upper elementary kids – create and persuade: Students design the “ideal species” intended to survival multiple biomes. Whether through digital demonstration, poster presentation, or informational skit, students must convince their fellow classmates that their creation will survive above the rest.
3. Play a Game
Provide a matching game with animals and biomes for visual learners. Free templates are available for download, or you can create your own – DIY Pinterest-style!
4. Make a Craft
There are several NGSS/CC-aligned crafts that make learning about biomes educational and fun. From insects to birds to monkeys, the creative opportunities are endless!
5. Create an Experiential Activity
Hands-on, experiential learning activities offer unique and memorable learning experiences.
Build-Your-Own Biome: Utilizing in-class resources (technology or art materials), kids develop a pop-up biome exhibit, relying on credible research and class curriculum for accuracy.Biome Survival Practicum: Students are separated into groups and assigned a species in a biome (e.g. "You are a humpback whale in the ocean"). Ask them to collaborate while thinking about what is important for survival, how to adapt if the temperature gets warmer, etc., leaving time for open-ended discussion.
Ready to explore biomes with your student(s)?
Check out our hands-on resources!