The differences between climate zones and biomes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and explain the difference between climate zones and biomes.
Key learning points
- Some areas within a climate zone have similar plants and animals; we call this a biome.
- Biomes have a spatial pattern that can be mapped.
- Key biomes of the world include rainforest, savannah, desert, temperate forest and tundra.
Keywords
Weather - The weather of a place is the day to day condition of the atmosphere, e.g. sunny, snowing, warm etc.
Climate - Climate is an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).
Climate zones - Climate zones are areas that have similar weather conditions and climate, e.g. the tropics.
Common misconception
That climate zones and biomes refer to the same places and locations.
Biomes exist within climate zones; one climate zone can contain several biomes. Climate zones are places with similar average weather patterns, biomes are places with similar animals and plants living there.
Teacher tip
Six major biomes are identified in this lesson, but the exact number of biomes in the world can vary according to different sources of information.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The weather in a place is ...
Q2.The climate of a place is the average weather conditions (e.g. rainy, sunny, windy) ...
Q3.The polar regions are an example of a ...
Q4.Temperature is measured in ...
Q5.The tropical climate zone is found...
Q6.Put these key lines of latitude in order from north to south.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A biome is a region of the world that has similar climate, ...
Q2.Climate zones and biomes are ...
Q3.Deciduous trees ...
Q4.Why do very few plants and animals live in the hot desert biome?
Q5.Tundra biomes are found ....
Q6.Match these biomes to the correct description.
To help you plan your 3 geography lesson on: The differences between climate zones and biomes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 geography lesson on: The differences between climate zones and biomes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the Climate zones: what are they and why do they matter? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.