- Welcome/Overview
- Content Notes
- Lesson and Activities
- Lesson 1-Living Systems-Where do we fit?
- Lesson 2- Explore Your "Wild" World!>
- Lesson 3- Building Food Chains and Food Webs>
- Lesson 4- Owls- A Mighty Predator
- Lesson 5- About Ecosystems>
- Lesson 6- We Are Explorers! (day1 of 2 lessons)>
- Lesson 7- We Are Explorers (day 2 of 2 lessons)
- Lesson 8-A Closer Look at Communities
- Lesson 9- What's in the Water?
- Lesson 10- Our Environment/Our World>
- Websites for Kids
- Books Used Throughout Lessons 1-10
- Assessment Page
You will find...........
Most of the instruction in these lessons occurs through hands-on activities, personal observations, use of videos,collaborative learning, and other active learning strategies. Students are given many opportunities to apply their knowledge throughout each lesson. Pre-assessment of prior knowledge occurs during the introduction to each lesson to confirm prior knowledge and to help manage valuable teaching time. Formative assessment occurs in the form of engaging students in dialogue as we discuss content each day through open ended questioning. Daily assessment occurs through monitoring participation and evaluating students responses during discussions as well as regular review of each student's Science Journal. See Assessment Page for more details regarding the use of the Science Journal.
Most of the content reading is done from a variety of Fiction and Nonfiction Trade Books filled with vivid and detailed illustrations or photographs as well as engaging text. Many of the books that are used throughout this unit to reinforce concepts communicate the "big Ideas" through storytelling which at this developmental age is a powerful way to engage learners. Students also explore age appropriate websites for additional nonfiction reading.
A list of topical books and websites are included at the end of this unit as additional resources for students, parents, and teachers. Some lessons contain additional website, video, or literature extensions. Multiple resources and reference materials are provided to accommodate a range of skill levels. These resources are available throughout the entire unit of study for students to access in the classroom and at home. These materials allow diverse learners to extend their study of the concepts addressed in class in a way that best fits their individual needs whether it is a need for more rigor or a need for remediation.
For a full list of Standards addressed in this Unit see Standards Page.
A Living Systems Vocabulary List can be found on the Standards 3.5 & 3.6 Vocabulary Page.
Most of the content reading is done from a variety of Fiction and Nonfiction Trade Books filled with vivid and detailed illustrations or photographs as well as engaging text. Many of the books that are used throughout this unit to reinforce concepts communicate the "big Ideas" through storytelling which at this developmental age is a powerful way to engage learners. Students also explore age appropriate websites for additional nonfiction reading.
A list of topical books and websites are included at the end of this unit as additional resources for students, parents, and teachers. Some lessons contain additional website, video, or literature extensions. Multiple resources and reference materials are provided to accommodate a range of skill levels. These resources are available throughout the entire unit of study for students to access in the classroom and at home. These materials allow diverse learners to extend their study of the concepts addressed in class in a way that best fits their individual needs whether it is a need for more rigor or a need for remediation.
For a full list of Standards addressed in this Unit see Standards Page.
A Living Systems Vocabulary List can be found on the Standards 3.5 & 3.6 Vocabulary Page.
Prep Ahead Reminders:
Lesson 4-Order Owl Pellets for each student- allow for delivery time.
Lesson 8- Wolf Hunt -Book Conference Room, Gym, or Cafeteria as a rain location.
Lesson 9- Must make an early morning trip to the creek before school for this lesson to collect fresh creek water samples to prepare slides for science activity. (5 minute walk from school)
General Information or Classroom Set-up
- Create Classroom Word Wall- Living Systems Vocabulary
- Decorate bulletin board to highlight student work to be displayed during this Unit- Can display Foldables or "evidence" retrieved during Lesson 2.