US Map and Its Land BiomesMath, Science and Reading

Integrated Activity

Earth’s Major Biomes

Teacher Notes

• US Map Activity: Understanding the size of each US biome will build a frame of reference for students. When the STEM challenge is introduced, students may use this reference as they determine the size of each pod given the available land on the moon.

• Biodiversity Readings: The size of a biome should not be the only frame of reference used. Every biome has different number of species interacting in a perfect balance.

Instructions for US Map and Its Biomes Activity

• Students may use a number line with fractions, decimals or percent as a manipulative.

• Students draw lines and divide map into equal portions. Then, students can estimate the size of each biome using fractions and converting these fractions to decimals or percent.

• US Size:3.806 million miles2 or 9.857 million km2

US Land BiomesStudent Questions

Using the US map, answer the following questions:1. What percent or fraction is occupied by each biome?

a. Tundrab. Coniferous Forest (Taiga)c. Temperate Deciduous Forestd. Grasslandse. Tropical Rainforestf. Desert

2. Which biome is the largest?3. Which biome is the smallest?

US Biomes vs. Other Parts of the WorldI. Close Reading

• Read Why Do Rainforests Have So Many Kinds of Plants and Animals?

• Answer the questions after reading:1. How does US number of plant and

animal species compare to other parts of the world? Explain using evidence from the text.

2. What factors contribute to having a larger number of plant and animal species? Explain using evidence from the text.

US Biomes vs. Other Parts of the WorldII. Close Reading

• Read Rainforest Diversity- Origins and Implications

• Answer the questions after reading:1. Using the table in the text, which country has a

larger diversity? How do you know?2. Identify evidence within the text to support this

claim: “The rainforest has the largest diversity from all the biomes.”

3. Infer why is important to have diversity within a biome.