Biomes


 * Title: Biomes **
 * Subject Area ** : Biomes, Science
 * Grade Level ** : 4/5

** Text Connection: **
**//What is a Biome?//** by Bobbie Kalman, Crabtree Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN# 978-0-86505-887-3


 * Vocabulary: ** Biome Vocabulary Cards

See vocabulary activities


 * Activity: Biome Rummy **


 * Materials ** : biome rummy cards


 * Procedure: ** Read the book together, taking time to talk about the different biomes where people and animals live. Find out what students know about different parts of the world and how the lives of people, plants and animals depend upon the ecosystem in which they live. Ask questions throughout the process to be sure that the student understands. Help students make connections especially with the biome where they live (temperate deciduous forest-Ithaca, NY). When you are finished reading the book, play the game using the directions below. Choose a vocabulary activity to reinforce meaning.

** Object of the game ** : Try to make as many sets of Biome cards in piles of 3 or more.

1. Dealer shuffles cards and deals seven cards to each player. The remaining cards go in the middle of the table with the last card turned up to the side of the larger pile of cards, which should be face down. 2. The players organize their cards so that they are arranged by biomes. The names of the biomes are written at the top of each card. They include: Wetland, Desert, Arctic Tundra, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Tropical Rainforest, Grasslands, Taiga, and Ocean. The players read their cards silently to learn a little bit of information about each biome while they are waiting. 3. The player to the right of the dealer takes a card, either from the pile of facing down or the cards that are face up. Player can take more than one card from the discard pile if he can play the last card that he picks up immediately. If he can make a set of biome cards (3 or more) he can put those down. After drawing a card, he should discard one card face up onto the discard pile. Once a set of three cards of a particular Biome is put together, another student can play their card on another player’s set at a value of 5 points. 4. Play continues counterclockwise until someone is out of cards. As cards are picked up or played, encourage students to read what the card says. Refer to the book to clarify the information if students don’t understand. 5. When one player doesn’t have any more cards to play, total the value of all of the sets that each player has on the table. Single card- 5 points Set of 3- 25 points Set of 4-50 points Set of 5- 75 points Set of 6- 150 points Cards remaining in player’s hand are deducted from the score. Each card is worth -15 points.

6. Tally all of the points. Highest score is the winner.

Rummy game hint: If you have the time and students are interested, divide up the cards and have them draw a quick sketch on some of the cards of the animals or plants that are mentioned. Use the text as needed.

Desert People Level P Camouflage Level T
 * Reading A-Z resources: **

** Additional resources: **

 * // Where Do Plants Grow //** by Louise and Richard Spilsbury, Heinemann, 2006, ISBN # 978-1-403-47367-6