BACKGROUND:

A particular region or set of regions that has characteristic climate or other physical condition and supports flora and fauna that show adaptation to these conditions (biome) is reflected in many different types of distribution maps.  It is important for students to realize that there are many local environments within an area designated on a map.  Maps tend to generalize, especially if the maps are not detailed.  

PROCEDURE:

1. Instruct  students to look at the map of North America and locate where they are. They do not need to know what each of the regions are, just so they know that there are many different vegetative biomes in North America.  
     
2. Pictures of some of these biomes would help students to visualize each region.  Have them answer the questions using the map of North America. 

Boreal forest
Rocky Mountain forest
Eastern deciduous forest
Hemlock hardwood forest
Southeastern coniferous forest
Pacific Coast forest = moist coniferous forest
Thorn forest
Tropical forest
Broad sclerophyll vegetation = chaparral
Cold desert = sage, low growing desert plant
Warm desert = scrub, small thorny desert bush
Tundra
High altitude temperate vegetation

ANSWERS:  
1,2 (local answers);  3. (southern coniferous forest);  4. (warm=scrub, cold = sage); 5. (tundra, boreal);  6. (desert, ice);  7. (Boreal, Rocky Mountain, Eastern deciduous; Hemlock hardwood; Southeastern coniferous, Pacific Coast, Thorn, Tropical);  8. (Eastern deciduous); 9. (Cold desert);  10. (Pacific Coast)