Abiotic and Biotic

1. Begin by asking students: Does anyone know anything about ecosystems? 
2. Listen to student responses, and guide understanding that an ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. Say to students: An example of an ecosystem is a desert. What types of organisms survive in a desert? If they seem to know more than expected, ask them to name ecosystems they are aware of. 
3. Ask students to name features of ecosystems (different animals, plants, non-living things such as light and water, etc.)
4. Let students feed off others' ideas and then show them the Youtube video (in lesson resources).
5. Encourage students to take notes if need be.
6. Play the Youtube video. 
7. Discuss video with students once it is finished. Ask questions: What did you notice? Did you hear anything that surprised you? What are biotic factors? What are abiotic factors?
8. Divide the class into 4 groups (should be about 4-5 students per group). 
9. Group 1-Terrestrial Biotic Group 2- Terrestrial Abiotic Group 3- Aquatic Biotic Group 4- Aquatic Abiotic 
10. Give each group worksheet that pertains to their topic (found in lesson resources). I would recommend giving each student their own copy.
11. Say to students: With your group, complete each task on the sheet provided. When you are finished, you are going to come up with a creative way to share with the class what you have learned. Be sure to follow directions so that you have all your bases covered.
12. The students will be required to come up with a song/rap/poem with their fellow group members.
13. Each performance should be at least 1 minute long and each group member should be involved. The performance should show off what they have learned and help their fellow classmates learn as well. 
14. The rubric for grading their performances is found in lesson resources. 

If the students wish to perform to music, have laptop and speaker ready (this makes it more interesting)

The rubric for performances is found in lesson resources.