UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block F: Climate Zones and Biomes

Create a Biome in a Bag and a DIY ‘Eden Project’ with its own mini guide or poster, based on their
research using maps, globes, atlases, digital mapping, websites and a visit to a manmade biome. This
block teaches the children about the key aspects of climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts.

Block F: Climate Zones and Main outcome: Geography  

Biomes [6 sessions]
By the end of this block you will have
achieved the following outcomes:
Session 1: Geography and English
Biomes of the World
The children are introduced to the
main land biomes of the world; chn
research a biome and role-play life as
an indigenous person living in the
biome they have researched.
Other outcomes: DT, English and Science
 Describe and understand key aspects of climate zones, biomes and
vegetation belts.
 Use maps, atlases and globes to locate countries and describe features
studied.
 Develop ideas, drawing on reading and research.
 Develop wider skills in spoken language.
 Pupils’ confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language should be
extended though public speaking, performance and debate.
 Use organisational devices to structure text.
 Be able to identify the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting
the appropriate form and using similar writing as models for their own.
 Gain a deeper understanding of a biome as an ecological community.
 Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in
different ways.
 Select from and use materials, including construction materials and
textiles, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.
Children will
 Define the term ‘biome’ and identify biomes of the world.
 Understand features of biomes, including vegetation, wildlife and
climate.
 Identify indigenous peoples of the biomes.
 Using research, role-play as an indigenous person living in the
researched biome.

Session 2: Geography and Science Children will

Biomes: Light, Water and Nutrients
The children make a biome in a bag
and observe it over a number of days
thereby learning about
photosynthesis, the water cycle and
the relationships between climate,
nutrients and vegetation within
ecosystems.
 Discuss how organisms in a habitat depend on each other, and rely
on light, water and nutrients.
 Understand the role of the water cycle in a biome.
 Understand the role of the water cycle in a biome and understand
condensation, evaporation and precipitation.
 Know about photosynthesis.

Session 3: Geography and Science Children will

Visit to a Biome  Understand how organisms adapt to cope with life in their biome by
Chn visit a biome (either a local visiting a biome.
natural or artificial) and make  Understand adaptations of living things by studying closely and
sketching.
annotated sketches of their
 Consider the adaptations of living things in the biome and how their
observations.
adaptations have enabled them to survive.

The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
 UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block F: Climate Zones and Biomes

Session 4: Geography and English Children will

Save the Planet  Comprehend the delicate interdependent nature of ecosystems.
The children are taught more  Know about global environmental problems and solutions.
about the balance within and  Use research to inform their writing.
interdependent nature of  Create posters and give presentations.
 Present persuasive arguments.
ecosystems. They research
environmental problems and
solutions, and create posters and
give presentations on their
research.

Session 5: Geography and DT Children will

Build a Model Eden Project
Using arts and crafts materials, the
children construct a model Eden
Project: a representation of a
biome of their choice.
Session 6: Geography and English
Come and Visit!
Having made their biome models,
the children make a guide or
poster to accompany their model,
providing tourist information with
an emphasis on conservation
issues.
 Understand the contents of a biome and how the living things in the
biome are placed together.
 Gain an understanding of the human presence in the biome, including
what the settlements look like and where they are located within the
biome.
 Construct a model Eden Project selecting suitable materials for the
content.
Children will
 Understand that the threats faced by the various biomes of the world
are serious and urgent.
 Select appropriate language and style and write a tourist guide/poster
for the biome made in the previous session.

The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
 UKS2 Topic: Earth Matters Block F: Climate Zones and Biomes

Resources needed

Session 1
Provided: Images of biomes, world biomes map; Biome investigator sheet.
You will need: Internet access and/or library resources for research.

Session 2
Provided: Biome in a bag instruction sheet.
You will need: 2-litre plastic bottles; Large freezer bags; Small pebbles; Potting soil; Seeds; Water; A
window sill; Water cycle diagram; A camera.

Session 3
Provided:
You will need:

Session 4
Provided:
You will need: Materials for poster making – large sheets of paper, colouring pencils, pens, crayons.

Session 5
Provided: Eden Project fact sheet; Model Eden Project instruction sheet.
You will need: Glue; Card; Paint; Tissue paper; Straws; Modelling foliage/painted sponge; Clear plastic;
Domed cup lids/large plastic bottles; A camera.

Session 6
Provided:
You will need: Materials for poster/guide making – large sheets of paper, colour pencils, pens, crayons.

The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.