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Learning Task 1: What’s an Ecosystem?

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Although students have some prior knowledge regarding ecosystems, the following is a lesson designed to remind them of ecosystems before continuing on with the other Learning Tasks.

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Activate

Teacher should write the word “Ecosystem” on the board. Using a think-pair-share model, ask students to brainstorm any words or images that come to mind when they hear the word “Ecosystem”. Have student think on their own for a few minutes, recording ideas down in notebooks or on paper. Following the few minutes, have students share with someone that is close to them, recording new ideas in their notebooks. After they have had the opportunity to discuss with a partner, open the discussion to the whole class and record ideas on the board for all the students to see.

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Acquire

Students will require laptops for the following part of the lesson. Share with students the following website: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwepecosystems.htm

Create small groups of approximately 2-4 students. Assign each group one section from the website. The sections are: We’re All in this Together, Parts and Pieces, Getting Down and Dirty, The More the Merrier, Give Me a Little Air, Life in a Lake, Getting Some Sun, Getting Along, Water Everywhere.

Ask students to read through their given section. They must then sum up the section in 1-2 sentences that will be shared with others.

Teacher will now use a jigsaw format where groups are formed by taking one member from each section and creating a new group where the information is shared.

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Apply

 In their new jigsaw groups, students are given large chart paper and are tasked with creating a definition for the word “Ecosystem”. Students can then record their group definition in their notebooks.

Teachers are encouraged to post the definitions around the classroom and refer to them when needed during the following lessons.

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Possible Adaptations

Provide students with a word bank with words related to ecosystems to help with creating a definition.

Print out one section of the website to help focus student(s) on one area.