Planning a Trip to Funworld
(go to the Flash online game)

Grade Level: 3-4

Essential Question: How would you prepare to visit another part of the world?

Objective: Students apply what they know about biomes to plan a personal wardrobe and accessories to take on a trip to one of four different biomes.

Approach: Present the students with the following scenario: Your family has won a trip to any one of four Funworld sites! These sites are "Tundra Funworld," "Desert Funworld," "Aquatic Funworld," and "Tropical Forest Funworld." You need to pack to go on the trip. But what should you take? Should you pack shorts or a parka? Will you need ice skates or scuba gear?

Ask each student to identify the Funworld site he or she would like to visit. Instruct them to pack the suitcase labeled with the name of that site. To pack the suitcase, they must click on each icon that represents the clothing or accessories appropriate for their trip and drag the icon over to the suitcase. Once they have all four items they want to take with them, just click the "pack it" button. If they packed correctly, they're off to Funworld!

Reflection: Ask the students if there are any possible natural disasters that may happen at their vacation site during the season they plan to visit. For example, if they plan to visit the Great Plains during the summer, they may see a tornado. The students should identify any such events, their effects on the biome, and how this would change your preparations.