The biomes of Russia
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the distribution of Russia's main biomes and explain how vegetation is adapted to the climate and soil conditions in each.
Key learning points
- Russia's main biomes include tundra, taiga, temperate forest and steppe.
- Descriptions of distribution involve three steps: identify map features - general pattern - specific details.
- The pattern of biome distribution is broadly latitudinal with tundra occupying the northernmost latitudes.
- Climate and soil type varies between the biomes and determines the type of dominant vegetation.
- Vegetation is adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the biome.
Keywords
Biome - a large region of the world with places that have similar climates, vegetation and animals
Distribution - the way something is spread out or arranged over a specific geographic area
Tundra - a cold, treeless area with frozen ground and low plants like mosses and grasses
Taiga - a cold, northern forest of mainly pine and spruce trees
Common misconception
When describing patterns of distribution from maps pupils can make the mistake of including information not available on the map itself and get tempted to explain patterns.
Use only the available information to write a description of what you see on the map including the general pattern and specific details provided by the legend, labels, compass rose and scale.
Teacher tip
Pupils could investigate how the arctic hare (tundra), wolverine (taiga), brown bear (temperate forest) and antelope (temperate grassland) are adapted to their respective biomes.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to its meaning.
A region in eastern Russia with harsh climate
Frozen soil that stays solid most of the year
A fossil fuel found underground
A clean source of power like solar or wind
A way to transport oil or gas
Q2.Which natural resource is Russia especially rich in?
Q3.What is one reason Russia's rivers are important?
Q4.What is a pipeline used for in Russia?
Q5.Which sea lies to Russia’s north?
Q6.Why do some Russian rivers freeze for months?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their correct meanings.
Region with similar climate, vegetation, and animals
Where something is found or spread across an area
Cold treeless land with mosses and grasses
Cold forest of pines and spruces
Flat grassland with few trees
Q2.What kind of trees grow in the taiga biome?
Q3.What kind of trees grow in the temperate forest biome?
Q4.A student describes Russia’s biome distribution by writing, “The taiga is there because it’s cold and it has pine trees.” What is the main issue with this?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: The biomes of Russia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: The biomes of Russia, 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 3 geography lessons from the Russia: How does geography shape the country? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.