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Integrated Subjects
Math

Skills Used
Communicating; Interpreting Data

Key Vocabulary
Biome, Tropical Rain Forest, Grassland, Desert, Deciduous Forest, Taiga, Tundra

Lesson Time
45 minutes

Illinois State Goals
11.A.2a, 11.A.2c, 11.A.2d, 12.E.2a, 13.A.2c, 13.B.2e, 13.B.2f

Conceptual Objective
Students will recognize the different climates among the land biomes.

Process Objective
Students will interpret information from the given tables to plot line graphs for each land biome's temperature and precipitation throughout a one year period.

Materials
* graph paper
* colored paper
* handouts

Procedure
1. Explain to students that there are six major land biomes on the Earth. Name them and show where they are located on a classroom map
2. Show a transparency that lists major characteristics of each biome
3. Point out that climate is the major factor that distinguishes biomes. Pass out handouts. Ask students if they can infer anything by simply looking at the data tables.
4. Pass out graph paper (6 sheets per student), and instruct them to label each sheet with the name of a different biome.
5. Instruct students to plot the given data on the graph paper using colored pencils. There should one graph for precipitation and one for temperature.
6. Have children keep their graphs to complete the homework assignment: Write a short paragraph to describe each biome.

Evaluation
1. Did the student complete the graphs correctly? Assess the neatness and accuracy of each graph.
2. Homework: Does the student demonstrate that he knows the differences between the biomes? Assess the depth of student's answers.

Troubleshooting
1. Students may have trouble setting up the y-axis of the graphs.
Teacher can give helpful hints on the best way to do this if students have trouble.

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