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Build it Yourself
Biomes: Discover the Earth’s Ecosystems with Environmental Science Activities for Kids
What’s the difference between a desert and a rain forest? A tundra and a coniferous forest? These are all examples of biomes, and they are all home to plants and animals that are uniquely adapted to live in those environments! In Discover the Earth’s Ecosystems with Science Activities for Kids , middle school kids journey across the planet and visit the world’s nine terrestrial and aquatic biomes to learn about the distinctive climates, geologies, resources, and organisms that can be found there. Kids will wander through forests, sizzle in deserts, shiver in the tundra, slog through marshy waters, and plunge beneath the seas to explore coral reefs. Along the way, readers will encounter the flora and fauna adapted for survival in each unique climate zone. They'll learn about gnarly krumholz trees, bioluminescent sea creatures, camouflage, carnivorous plants, and blubbery marine critters. The health and wellbeing of the world’s biomes are an essential part of the balance of the planet as a whole. Biomes and their inhabitants around the world are being threatened by climate change and human behavior. In Biomes , kids will learn how to take steps toward positive change and keep the environment healthy and functioning in a way that best supports sustainable life on Earth! Biomes includes hands-on STEM activities and critical thinking exercises to encourage readers to consider threats to the environment and figure out ways to be part of the solution. Fun facts, links to online primary sources and other supplemental material, and essential questions take readers on an exploration of the biomes of Earth. Biomes is part of a set of four Build It Environmental Science books that explore the history and science of the planet and all that live on it through hands-on STEM activities and real-life environmental connections. Other titles in this series are Planet Earth, Garbage , and Biodiversity . Nomad Press books integrate content with participation. Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and STEM Education all place project-based learning as key building blocks in education. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.
- GenresScienceNonfiction
128 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2019
7 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2019
Biomes: Discover the Earth’s Ecosystems with Science Activities for Kids by Donna Latham with illustrations by Tom Casteel introduces readers in grades 4-6 to nine environments: Deciduous Forests, Coniferous Forests, Tropical Rainforests, Deserts, Temperate grasslands, Tropical Savannas, Tundra, Mountains, and Oceans.
An introduction sets up the later chapters by explaining what a biome is, introducing much of the environment-related vocabulary that appears throughout and mapping the location of each biome on a world map. Chapter One provides background via an overview of our home on Earth and the basic adaptations of plant and animal life to our unique planet.
Biome-focused chapters define specific characteristics such as seasons, soils, rainfall, and highlight flora and fauna – a 5,000- year-old Bristlecone pine in a coniferous forest, glow-in-the-dark ocean dwellers of the deep sea, the 2-ounce Pygmy Tarsier found in the mountains of Indonesia – and so on.
Additionally, chapters incorporate information about broader concepts such as food chains, food webs, environmental changes, and the multiple ways in which each biome contributes to creating a sustainable planet. Vocabulary is highlighted in Words To Know sidebars. Related STEM projects are listed at the end to check knowledge and offer hands-on reinforcement for concepts. Each chapter includes a feature called Climate Change Corner that uses a QR code.
Readers are challenged to ask questions and use critical thinking skills in response to calls to action: Essential Question, Try This!, and Did You Know? Photographs and illustrations enhance content and provide visual interest.
The book is well organized and the content expands on familiar facts and introduces readers to details that are often overlooked. It is not only educational, but is also a pleasure to read. The conversational tone and age-appropriate vocabulary is appealing.
Recommended for STEM home and school libraries.
An introduction sets up the later chapters by explaining what a biome is, introducing much of the environment-related vocabulary that appears throughout and mapping the location of each biome on a world map. Chapter One provides background via an overview of our home on Earth and the basic adaptations of plant and animal life to our unique planet.
Biome-focused chapters define specific characteristics such as seasons, soils, rainfall, and highlight flora and fauna – a 5,000- year-old Bristlecone pine in a coniferous forest, glow-in-the-dark ocean dwellers of the deep sea, the 2-ounce Pygmy Tarsier found in the mountains of Indonesia – and so on.
Additionally, chapters incorporate information about broader concepts such as food chains, food webs, environmental changes, and the multiple ways in which each biome contributes to creating a sustainable planet. Vocabulary is highlighted in Words To Know sidebars. Related STEM projects are listed at the end to check knowledge and offer hands-on reinforcement for concepts. Each chapter includes a feature called Climate Change Corner that uses a QR code.
Readers are challenged to ask questions and use critical thinking skills in response to calls to action: Essential Question, Try This!, and Did You Know? Photographs and illustrations enhance content and provide visual interest.
The book is well organized and the content expands on familiar facts and introduces readers to details that are often overlooked. It is not only educational, but is also a pleasure to read. The conversational tone and age-appropriate vocabulary is appealing.
Recommended for STEM home and school libraries.
April 6, 2019
Part of the Build It Environmental Series from Nomad Press, Biomes takes readers on a tour of the major life zones on planet Earth. As each biome is introduced, its major characteristics are described, as well as some of its more prominent flora and fauna. Photos show pink fairy armadillos, corpse flowers, and pygmy tarsiers, while the text explains the effects of climate change and human actions on the biomes.
The books has many useful features, including: essential questions to encourage critical thinking during reading, "Words to Know" defines vocabulary (also included in the glossary), QR codes offer access to videos and helpful websites, and there are also "Did You Know?" sidebars with interesting facts about word origins, statistics, etc.
Perhaps the most helpful feature are the activity guides. After each section there are directions on how to make recycled paper, create a food chain flipbook, bake honey wheat bread, and other hands-on experiences that bring the learning to a practical application.
Between the interesting projects, the riveting photos, and informative text, there is an amazing amount of information. The addition of comic panels that show youngsters discussing the various biomes adds the allure of entertainment to the mix.
This is an excellent resource for science classes looking for activities to balance out more sedentary learning.
The books has many useful features, including: essential questions to encourage critical thinking during reading, "Words to Know" defines vocabulary (also included in the glossary), QR codes offer access to videos and helpful websites, and there are also "Did You Know?" sidebars with interesting facts about word origins, statistics, etc.
Perhaps the most helpful feature are the activity guides. After each section there are directions on how to make recycled paper, create a food chain flipbook, bake honey wheat bread, and other hands-on experiences that bring the learning to a practical application.
Between the interesting projects, the riveting photos, and informative text, there is an amazing amount of information. The addition of comic panels that show youngsters discussing the various biomes adds the allure of entertainment to the mix.
This is an excellent resource for science classes looking for activities to balance out more sedentary learning.
October 10, 2019
An excellent overview of the earth’s biomes. Each is covered in detail in a separate chapter, including information on attributes of ecosystems within them, plants and animals endemic, as well as the challenges from climate change and the influence of humans. Clear photography and illustrations are included throughout. Important vocabulary and concepts are in bold lettering, and definitions appear on the page where they are introduced. The main text is also supplemented by interesting facts and links to videos using a QR code. “Essential Question” sections prompt readers to pay attention to the text and encourage critical thinking. At the end of every chapter, there are hands-on activities that draw together concepts learned. The book also includes a glossary, list of metric conversions, a list of resources, and an index.
Biomes is a comprehensive book and an excellent resource. Sections on activities might make this less appealing to the general reader but are certainly useful in a classroom setting. This text definitely provides a great guide for a teacher to use in conjunction with STEM curricula. (Review by Charles Ross Hughes)
Biomes is a comprehensive book and an excellent resource. Sections on activities might make this less appealing to the general reader but are certainly useful in a classroom setting. This text definitely provides a great guide for a teacher to use in conjunction with STEM curricula. (Review by Charles Ross Hughes)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews