Arctic Biome Mystery: Homeschool Activities
This Arctic Biome Mystery is the third mini unit study I am writing in the Biome Mystery curriculum series! If you're looking for unique biome lesson plans, biome activities, introductions to animal adaptations, a fun lesson on the arctic or arctic animals, this is the set for you! (Plus, it's free. A free homeschool curriculum is always a bonus!)
So here is my brilliant idea: The kids learn about a new biome by solving a mystery that takes place in that biome! We started with the desert because we were already talking about it, we've done tropical rainforests, and now we're doing the arctic! (I have a few other "detective" mysteries for kids HERE too!)
These activities are fun, kid-friendly, and lead to loads of educational discussions. You learn about the arctic through questions, discussions, and solving the mystery!
The only thing you won't find in this packet is a bunch of biome worksheets (though I do include a suspect tracking guide you can use)!
Arctic Biome Mystery
This particular mystery is pretty straightforward, but it does require solving a simple code to be sure of the guilty person! The code is simple enough that I did not include a cipher -- I wanted my kids to take a guess or two at the code and try out their theories. Since you (the parent or teacher) are reading this, I'll let you know that the code is a simple alphanumeric code where 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, etc.
Here's my suggestion:
1- Print all the supplies.
2- Place the SOLUTION in an envelope. Give it to your kiddos after they make their own conclusion.
3- Give your children the letter on a clipboard, Case Introduction, Biome Card, Plant Cards, Animal Cards, Suspects Card, and Clue Cards all at once. When they give you their conclusion, give them the SOLUTION envelope!
4- Follow up with any of the following discussions or other activities:
a- What adaptations do you see in the animals or plants you encountered? How do those adaptations help in the arctic?
b- Which animals did you already know about? Were any new to you?
c- Had you heard of muktuk before this activity? Would you try it if you visited Tuk?
c- How is the arctic biome similar/different to where you live?
Make it an Artic Biome Unit Study
Make it an Artic Biome Unit Study
Homeschool Curriculum
with #5 & #6:5- If you purchase the Arctic Mystery Packet below, follow up with the arctic science experiments, a game of Memory, and a round of the arctic game Musk Ox Life! Each activity introduces and reinforces different aspects of the arctic biome. The three experiments look at permafrost, the divergent fault in the arctic ocean, and insulation in animals that live in the arctic.
6- Extend the theme by researching different arctic areas around the world! Most of this unit study focused on the Canadian town Tuktoyaktuk...what does it have in common with other arctic areas around the world? What is unique? What animals live uniquely in each country? Do they travel? What do you notice about the latitudes that the Arctic occurs at? Why do you think that is? Choose one aspect to study in more depth and create a biome project by putting together a presentation of some kind (diorama, poster board, PPT, travel brochure, infomercial, etc)!
The Arctic Mystery Biome Packet includes the following:
1- The free Arctic Biome Mystery
2- Arctic Biome Memory Cards
3- The Arctic animal game: Musk Ox Life
4- Three Hands-on Experiments to learn more about arctic plants and animals! One focuses on permafrost, one on insulation and layers of hair, and one on the divergent plate boundary in the Arctic Ocean!
These are fun, hands-on homeschool activities that expose your kids to more information about life in the arctic!
USE THE BUY NOW BUTTON BELOW TO GET THE ARCTIC MYSTERY BIOME PACKAGE!
HINT: use "weekspecial" to get a 20% discount this week!
Key Words: biome project, homeschool curriculum, biome lesson plans,
arctic biome, arctic animals
And if you're looking for more homeschool unit studies, be sure to check out our growing collection here!
Happy Educating,
Carla & the kids who don't sit still!
3 comments
I love this. I've been trying to find quality materials about the arctic and this is perfect!
ReplyDeleteYay!! I'm so glad you can use it!
Deletegreat
ReplyDelete