Ecosystems and Energy Flow



OVERVIEW



Energy on Earth begins with our Sun. Sunlight is the catalyst to photosynthesis and the promise of continued growth of producers, the first in line of an ecosystem's multiple food chains. This four lesson unit of study uses role-playing to stimulate students in their understanding of food chains and photosynthesis. A hands-on scientific investigation of texture and the spread of pollen will help students to understand the importance of pollination in an ecosystem. A string game is used to simulate food webs helping students to visualize the connection between the Sun's energy, producers, herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and decomposers. Students will have an opportunity to use dice to play a resource game teaching the direct relationship between resources (food, shelter, and water) and animal populations.


RESERVE NOW

What's included



Ecosystems and Energy Flow Lesson #1 -- Food Chains

Students will discuss prey and predator while creating food chains that include the sun, producers, and consumers.

What's included: Food Chain game cards; class set of Food Chain activity; toy microphone; 8 Habitat Kits (each kit includes one specific habitat picture with habitat producers, consumers, and decomposers cards; Who Eats What? book); Vocabulary posters; Learning Goal poster; Sentence Frame poster.


Ecosystems and Energy Flow Lesson #2 -- Plants are Producers

Students will understand how plants are the primary source of energy and matter in all food chains.

What's included: Photosynthesis and Plant Energy class poster; class set of Photosynthesis and Plant Energy activity; class set of Plants are Producers activity; Photosynthesis Role Play pictures and scripts; Vocabulary poster; Learning Goal poster; Sentence Frame poster.


Ecosystems and Energy Flow Lesson #3 -- Bees and Pollinators

Students will conduct an experiment to determine the best texture for pollen distribution.

What's included: Class set of Bees and Pollinators Lab activity; 8 Bees and Pollinators Lab Kits; What If There Were No Bees? book; Learning Goal poster; Sentence Frame poster.


Ecosystems and Energy Flow Lesson #4 -- Food Webs

Students will create food webs including producers, herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, and decomposers.

What's included: Decomposer class poster; 8 Habitat Kits (each kit includes one specific habitat picture with habitat producers, consumers, and decomposers cards; Who Eats What? book); three skeins of yellow yarn; scissors; Food Web game cards; tape; class set of WHY Writing Activity?; Vocabulary posters; Learning Goal poster; Sentence Frame poster.


Ecosystems and Energy Flow Lesson #5 -- What Do Plants Need to Grow?

Students will analyze provided data to support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.

What's included: Class set of What Do Plants Need to Grow?; activity sheets; class set of pre/post ecosystems and energy flow knowledge survey; plant poster; claim poster.