US Map and Its Land Biomes Math, Science and Reading Integrated Activity

Earth’s Major Biomes See page 94 of the Science Textbook

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. This slide is for Teachers ONLY. When using power point in class, be sure to hide or delete this slide.

See Instructions on slide no. 5 and Questions on slide no. 6

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 Example: 1/3 Temperate Deciduous Forest. 1/3 equals to 3.253 million km2 1/3 Grasslands 1/3 Taiga, Dessert and others (all combined)

US Land Biomes Student Questions Using the US map, answer the following questions: 1. What percent or fraction is occupied by each biome? a. Tundra b. Coniferous Forest (Taiga) c. Temperate Deciduous Forest d. Grasslands e. Tropical Rainforest f. Desert 2. Which biome is the largest? 3. Which biome is the smallest?

US Biomes vs. Other Parts of the World I. 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 has fewer plant and animal species. For Example, Madagascar; which is smaller than TX has 500 species of frogs. US has only 81 frog species. Climate and canopy (top structure of the rain forest) are most important factors to promote diversity of species. Regarding the climate, the direct sunlight promotes photosynthesis and directly or indirectly provides energy for all living organisms. The canopy offers a safe place to live with abundant food and water to survive.

US Biomes vs. Other Parts of the World II. Close Reading Read Rainforest Diversity- Origins and Implications Answer the questions after reading: Using the table in the text, which country has a larger diversity? How do you know? Identify evidence within the text to support this claim: “The rainforest has the largest diversity from all the biomes.” Infer why is important to have diversity within a biome. Indonesia has a larger diversity of species. By adding both sides, Indonesia has a total of 33,020 species and US has 21,716. So Indonesia has at least 11,304 more species than US. Temperate forest has half a dozen different types of trees that make up to 90%; meaning than the majority of the trees in the temperate forest are the same type. In the tropical rain forest 2.5 acres could have 480 different types of tress. 3. By having a larger diversity, living organisms would have a greater chance of survival. If their primary source of food disappears, they will have more alternatives.