- 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
Provide students with graphics or worksheets that include the following instructions for labeling each page in their Science Journal. This assignment should be completed over the course of at least two days during science time, language arts time, and during other reflective independent time. Students may need more time depending on competency level. Instruction or practice for the essay portion of this project could be addressed during language arts teaching time during this unit of study and should coincide with writing initiatives already in place. This project is intended to be done in class with the teacher's help. It is to be used for both formative and summative assessment of writing skills, communication skills, and map skills as well as the acquisition of science content.
Page 1 and 2 of Explorer's Field Guide
Page 1- Getting Ready
Where are you going?
Why did you choose this ecosystem?
How many miles will you travel? How Long will it take?
What do you need to pack to wear?
What science equipment will you use during this expedition?
Page 2- Once you are "there" -
What is the average temperature during the day? at Night?
Where will you sleep?
What will you eat?
What form of transportation do you use while you are there? Draw a sketch.
Page 3 and 4 of Explorer's Field Guide
Page 3
Draw a picture of your ecosystem or Biome.
Please include as many types of animals and plants that make up your destination as you can. You may use colored pencils, magazine pictures, or construction paper to make your own animals for your ecosystem
Please list a website that includes a picture or video of your ecosystem.
Page 4- Divide page into two halves-
Top Half
Draw a Food Web depicting at least 10 different plants and animals that live in your ecosystem.
Bottom Half
Draw two food chains from those animals in the Food Web.
Draw a picture of your ecosystem or Biome.
Please include as many types of animals and plants that make up your destination as you can. You may use colored pencils, magazine pictures, or construction paper to make your own animals for your ecosystem
Please list a website that includes a picture or video of your ecosystem.
Page 4- Divide page into two halves-
Top Half
Draw a Food Web depicting at least 10 different plants and animals that live in your ecosystem.
Bottom Half
Draw two food chains from those animals in the Food Web.
Page 5 and 6 of Explorer's Field Guide
Page 5
Pick one animal from the food chain and describe an adaptation that the animal uses to survive in your ecosystem. Use at least two sentences or phrases. Remember to use "interesting" adjectives and verbs as you journal about your animal.
Draw a picture of your animal.
Page 6
Divide the page into 3 equal sections. Write a fun fact in each section regarding your ecosystem. You may make diagram, sketch, or use pictures to share details about these facts.
Pick one animal from the food chain and describe an adaptation that the animal uses to survive in your ecosystem. Use at least two sentences or phrases. Remember to use "interesting" adjectives and verbs as you journal about your animal.
Draw a picture of your animal.
Page 6
Divide the page into 3 equal sections. Write a fun fact in each section regarding your ecosystem. You may make diagram, sketch, or use pictures to share details about these facts.
Page 7 and 8 of Explorer's Field Guide
Page 7- About my Ecosystem
Answer the following questions/statements about your ecosystem:
The Climate is ______________
The Topography is ____________(example rocky, flat,etc)
The nearest city is ________ miles away.
The number of species of plants and animals that live in this ecosystem is___________.
Page 8- Paste World Map Outline into Science Journal
Label each of the following:
Your Ecosystem, nearest country, state, province, city.
All Continents, Oceans, and large mountain ranges or rivers near your ecosystem.
Use symbols for rivers, mountains,forests, or deserts that are found near your ecosystem.
Be sure to include a title for your map, a compass rose, and a map key
Answer the following questions/statements about your ecosystem:
The Climate is ______________
The Topography is ____________(example rocky, flat,etc)
The nearest city is ________ miles away.
The number of species of plants and animals that live in this ecosystem is___________.
Page 8- Paste World Map Outline into Science Journal
Label each of the following:
Your Ecosystem, nearest country, state, province, city.
All Continents, Oceans, and large mountain ranges or rivers near your ecosystem.
Use symbols for rivers, mountains,forests, or deserts that are found near your ecosystem.
Be sure to include a title for your map, a compass rose, and a map key
Page 9 and 10 of Explorer's Field Guide
Page 9 My 3 Interview Questions/Responses
Pretend that you a reporter National Geographic Magazine, and you are going to interview your scientist while in the field. Think of at least 3 questions that you would ask your scientist concerning their contributions to science or the study of a particular ecosystem, a community of animals, or a certain population of animals. First list the questions. Predict how your scientist would answer the questions.
Page 10- My Get To Know A Scientist Report
Write an essay using the imaginary responses given by your Scientist. Make it ready for publishing in the next magazine.
Pretend that you a reporter National Geographic Magazine, and you are going to interview your scientist while in the field. Think of at least 3 questions that you would ask your scientist concerning their contributions to science or the study of a particular ecosystem, a community of animals, or a certain population of animals. First list the questions. Predict how your scientist would answer the questions.
Page 10- My Get To Know A Scientist Report
Write an essay using the imaginary responses given by your Scientist. Make it ready for publishing in the next magazine.