Plant and animal adaptations in the taiga biome
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how plants and animals in the taiga are well adapted to the physical conditions.
Key learning points
- The taiga is home to a variety of plants and animals.
- Animals are well adapted to the physical conditions in the taiga, for example, by being migratory.
- Plants are well adapted to the physical conditions in the taiga, for example, needles instead of leaves.
Keywords
Biodiversity - the variety of species found in a habitat
Adaptations - a feature or behaviour that helps an animal or plant survive in its environment
Habitats - the natural place where a plant or animal lives and grows
Common misconception
The taiga winter is too cold for animals to survive, so they all migrate to warmer regions.
Although some animal and bird species do migrate in winter, other animals are adapted to survive the cold, dark taiga winter. For example, some animals have thick fur, some hibernate.
Teacher tip
A BBC Teach video on "Coniferous forests - Finland" provides a useful introduction to some specific plant and animal adaptations in the taiga / boreal forest.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where is the Taiga biome primarily located?
Q2.What is another name for the Taiga?
Q3.Which of the following trees are most commonly found in the Taiga?
Q4.Which of the following animals is commonly found in the Taiga biome?
Q5.What is the climate of the Taiga biome like?
Q6.The Taiga biome is most commonly found in which region of the world?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.The Taiga biome (also called the boreal forest) has a low due its long, cold winters and short, mild summers.
Q2.How have Taiga plants adapted to the cold, harsh winters?
Q3.What is an adaptation of Taiga animals during winter?
Q4.Which animal in the Taiga biome is known for its ability to change colour in winter to blend with the snow?
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Plant and animal adaptations in the taiga biome, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 geography lesson on: Plant and animal adaptations in the taiga biome, 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 4 geography lessons from the Tropical rainforest and taiga biomes unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.