Information about tundras provide opportunites for learning projects.
Teaching students about the various biomes, which are the different homes of plant and animal life determined by the climate, acquaints them with each biome's distinctive features. Introduce them to the tundra, which is defined as "a treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses and stunted shrubs," according to The Free Dictionary.
Tundra Model
Assign students a specific tundra such as the southern Indian Ocean Islands tundra or the Arctic coastal tundra, to study. Have them determine the size of the land mass and identify if it is an arctic, antarctic or alpine tundra. After they gather the information have them construct a scale model of that tundra. Let them be creative with the building materials. They might use a layer of foil on Styrofoam to represent the ice or create a painting of the tundra.
Life on the Tundra
Students might think of the tundra as a place unable to sustain life because of the cold. Assign them a research project on the plant and animal life of various tundras. For example, they might find that polar bears, lemmings and caribou roam the arctic tundra, while the alpine tundra is home to the mountain goat, marmot and kea parrot. Have the students present their findings to the rest of the class.
Tundra Food Chain
Have the students construct a tundra food chain. However, require them to include elements such as the sun, water, air and soil conditions as well. They must either draw their food chains by hand or use graphics on a computer to represent the elements of their system. Furthermore, ask them to label each element on their food chain as either a primary, secondary or tertiary consumer or decomposer.
Online Learning
Bring your students to the computer lab and have them navigate through a series of websites about tundras as an alternative to the traditional class. Divide them into groups or let them work individually. Have them visit Kids Geo where they can read up on not only the features of the tundra, but also the characteristics of other biomes.
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