Wichita falls ISD
Fifth Grade - Science
Unit 14: Biomes
Unit Planner
Approximate Time Frame: 11 days
Objectives
Skills: The student will be able to…
• Recognize that climate of an area determines which biome will develop there.
• Identify characteristics of each of the six major biomes in North America
• Compare the adaptive characteristics of species that improve their ability to
survive in a particular biome.
• Observe pond or organisms and classify them as producers or consumers.
• Identify three types of water ecosystems
• Describe the adaptations that allow organisms to survive in saltwater
environments.
TEKS
Readiness: 5.9A, 5.9B, 5.10A
Supporting: 5.9C
Scientific Processes: 5.1C, 5.2A,
5.3C
ELPS:
1E, 3E, 3J
Performance Indicators
By the end of the unit the student will be able to…
Lesson 1
• Identify the six major land biomes of North America
• Recognize that climate of an area determines which biome will develop there.
• Compare adaptive characteristics of species that improve their ability to survive in a particular biome.
The student will be able to answer these key questions at the end of the unit.
• What are land biomes?
• What distinguishes one biome from another?
• How are biomes related to climate zones?
• What kinds of plants and animals live in each type of biome?
Lesson 2
•
Complete a Venn Diagram comparing salt water and fresh water ecosystems
The student will be able to answer these key questions at the end of the unit.
• What are water biomes?
• What is the difference between fresh water and salt water ecosystems?
• What kinds of plants and animals live in each type of ecosystem?
Lesson Information
Activities
Lesson 1: A Look at Biomes
Engage
• Investigate Biomes and Climates using,
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Experiments/Biome/
• Biome song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A5eeE93uEA
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 14
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
Vocabulary
Lesson 1:
• Biome
• Climate
zone
• Tundra
• Taiga
revised 2/13/15
1
Explore
• Biomes: What and Who Lives Where?
http://gen.uga.edu/documents/biodiversity/activities/Biomes%20who%20what%20lives.pdf
Explain
• STEMscopes Interdependency, 5.9A (Interactive vocabulary game and question
prompts, Picture Vocabulary, Progress Monitoring Assessment on the S Drive in
STEMscopes Folder
Elaborate
• STEMscopes Interdependency, 5.9A: Extension Activity (Danger, Danger and
Interactive Simulation Investigation) on the S Drive in STEMscopes Folder
• Make a brochure through Microsoft Office Publisher (6 biomes)
Real Life Science Ecosystems and Biomes
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/teachersguides/pdf/earthscience/aims/real_world_science_ecosystems_and_biomes.pdf
Evaluate
• Teacher observation and questions.
Lesson 2: Water Ecosystems
Engage:
• Life in a Pond Community
• http://www.ypte.org.uk/environmental/ponds/84
• What are water ecosystems slideshow?
•
http://www.slideshare.net/allsaintsscience/5th-grade-ch-5-lesson-3-what-are-water-ecosystems
•
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/habitats/oceanhabitats/preview.weml
•
•
•
•
Deserts
Grasslands
Deciduous
forest
Tropical
rain forests
Lesson 2:
• Pond
• Intertidal
zone
• Near-shore
zone
• Open
ocean
zone
• estuary
Explore:
Choose your organizer and print. Venn Diagram T-Chart to compare salt water
•
ecosystems and fresh water ecosystems.
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/comparecontrastl.cfm
•
Explain:
• Vocabulary flash cards
• http://quizlet.com/21212566/aquatic-ecosystems-vocabulary-rivers-to-oceans-flash-cards/
• Recognize vocabulary Crossword puzzle (Harcourt Science Student Workbook)
Elaborate:
•
•
Cycling water through the environment
http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.watcyc.lp_watercycle/cyclingwater-through-the-environment/
Evaluate:
• Teacher observation and questions
Additional Information
Materials/Resources
Lesson 1
Biome Links
• Map of North American climate zones
• Colored pencils
• Animal cards (pull from a previous activity)
• Animals in Action Kit (SRC)
• United Streaming video: Biomes: Our Earth’s
Major Life Zones
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 14
Notes from Council
Other Places you can look:
• Bird Buddy Kit (SRC)
• Animals in Action Kit (SRC)
• Unitedstreaming.com can be used to search and view
videos related to topics.
• Wrap-up: Show Finding Nemo
• Voyage of the Mimi making dew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fmvQ20tZME
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
revised 2/13/15
2
Lesson 2
• Student computers
• Workbook support resources from Harcourt
Science
• Activities for Water Ecosystems Links
Misconceptions/Underdeveloped Concepts
Lesson 1
• All deserts are hot and at low elevations.
• Students may give human characteristics to plants and animals.
• Only certain animals get eaten.
• All organisms get along.
• Individual organisms change to response to their environment.
• Plants are dependent on humans.
Lesson 2
• Students may think you can drink salt water.
• Students may think that icebergs are made out of salt water.
• Students may think many plants and animals live on the deep floor where little sunlight penetrates.
• Students may think oceans have the same salinity everywhere.
Parent Resources
•
•
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/
Wichita Falls ISD (2014-2015)
5Sc Unit 14
Scientific Processes TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
revised 2/13/15
3