Ecosystems!

Students will use prior knowledge of abiotic and biotic factors in terrestrial ecosystems to explore estuaries and swamps. Students will research other ecosystems to gather enough information to create their own aquatic ecosystem.

Duration
2-3 hours
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Essential Question

What makes different ecosystems unique?

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Chromebooks and access to internet. The technology is being used to gather formative data through the PlayPosits. For summative data, the Word Doc ecosystem creation allows the teacher to see the level of understanding that the students have on what goes into a ecosystem and how organisms interact with each other. 
 

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

  1. Students will gather together. Draw attention to today’s objective (see lesson objective)
  2. Click the link and play the Estuary PlayPosit.
  3. As the questions begin in the video, have students write them down first, then have them turn and talk with the person beside them about what they answered.
  4. When the video is over, discuss as a group what estuaries are, and what type of animals or organisms make up the ecosystem.
  5. Next, play the Swamp PlayPosit.
  6. When the video is over, discuss as a group what swamps are, and what type of animals or organisms make up the ecosystem.
  7. Have students retrieve their devices. They should already have the Word Doc shared with them. (also attached in lesson resources)
  8. When students are finished, they will submit their Word Doc to the teacher, and share their ecosystems aloud with the class.

The rubric is also attached in assignments.

Hyperlink for Students to follow

View Resource

Ecosystem Rubric

View Resource

Assessments

The ecosystem the students create on their own should be graded. Rubric is included in Lesson Resources.