Continent Studies
Enrich your studies of the continents by studying the animals, plants and the people of the biomes of that continent! By doing so, you automatically integrate zoology and botany with geography. Your classroom will come alive and children will begin to make connections with adaptations being the food for critical thought. They will use language as a means of communicating and learning more about what excites them.
A new appreciation for indigenous people will be engendered with an understanding of the wealth of their knowledge about their natural environment and an appreciation for their sustainable lifestyles.
North America Biome Curriculum »
Here is a guide for studying the North American continent by biomes. It can be used as a template for other continents. What you will find in the chapters that cover each biome are imaginative journeys to be narrated, points of interest for field trips to the biome or suggested simulations, art projects, science experiments, and experiential activities. In addition, each chapter introduces lesson presentations for the parts of plants and animals in that biome using the nomenclature cards that come with the curriculum. One of the most engaging activities that came out of this work has been the animal narratives. Each chapter includes a narration of animal behavior indicative of the biome. The children are assigned parts at the onset and must listen for their cues and the behavior they are to act out. Children learn so much about the animals, their habits and adaptations, predator/prey roles, and how they live together. It stays with them because they were invovled. The curriculum seeks to integrate geography with science, language, the arts and, even, math.
People of a Biome »
People of a Biome
Three-part cards including a description for young readers, double pictures and a label explore a group of indigenous people found in a particular biome of a continent. The cards explore the people, their food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and some cultural expression with an emphasis on adaptation and sustainability. Cards are cut and ready to laminate. (3 to 8 years)
Animals of a Biome »
Animals of a Biome
Three-part cards including a description for young readers, double pictures and a label explore fifteen different animals found in a particular biome of a continent. These sets are grouped together by continent and color-coded for that continent for an exploration of the fauna found there. Designed to explore animal adaptations and stimulate student research. Children learn the names of the animals and read more about them in the Biome Readers. Cards are cut and ready to laminate. Masters to make coloring books encourage children to “color like scientists” and pay attention to the markings on the animals. (3 to 8 years)
Click below for the instructions to this work.
Click below for the instructions to this work.
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Biomes of a Continent »
Designed for elementary classes (8 to 12 years), this material covers all the biomes found on a particular continent and offers a structure for independent research. Each biome is explored with an example of each of the five classes of vertebrates, an invertebrate, and a plant. Each biome also has a card set for a group of people and how they meet their basic needs within their biome. While indigenous cultures are emphasized as models of sustainability, rural and urban cultures are depicted as well for a realistic view of people on the continent. A teacher’s manual outlines lesson presentation and offers ideas for extensions. A biome map and black line masters of the illustrations are included. All sets are cut and ready to laminate.
Click below for the instructions to this work.
Click below for the instructions to this work.