Ecosystems

Standard E - The Living Environment

Students understand that cells are the basic unit of life, that all life as we know it has evolved through genetic transfer and natural selection to create a great diversity of organisms, and that these organisms create interdependent webs through which matter and energy flow.  Students understand similarities and differences between humans and other organisms and the interconnections of these interdependent webs. 

Pre K-2 - Performance indicator - E. 2. Ecosystems
Students understand how plants and animals depend on each other and the environment in which they live.

a. Explain that animals use plants and other animals for food, shelter, and nesting.

Group Activity: Show the video Beavers and tell the students they will be using the video to find important facts about how beavers use plants for food and shelter.  Using the brainstorming method create a web on the white board incorporating all the facts students have learned.  Students will then use those facts to draft a short report on beavers.


Classroom Demonstration:  Activate students prior knowledge about habitats.  Encourage discussion regarding habitats and what ours is, animals, plants. Introduce Acadia National Park.  Explain what kinds of animals live in the park.  Today's focus is going to be on the beaver.  Using facts from the publication Animals of Acadia found at www.nps.gov/acad/forteachers/upload/edguide_animals.pdf
discuss what beavers need for food, shelter and nesting. 

Effective Questions:  How does knowing this information about beavers help us understand how animals use plants and animals for food, shelter and nesting.
Can you think of any other animals/birds here in Maine that might use plants or animals for food and shelter?  How are these animals alike? 



National Geographic (2012Year). Mammals: Beaver Family [Video file]. Retrieved from National Geographic Kids website: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/animals-pets-kids/mammals-kids/beaver-kids/ 

National Park Service. (n.d.). Acadia national park. Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/acad/forteachers  /lessonplansandteacherguides.html

b. Compare different animals and plants that live in different environments of the world.

Group Assignments: Prior to the group activity visit the library and collect a variety of books that contain information about environments of the world.  Make sure there are many different animals and plants to choose from.  Students will choose an animal or plant and create a diorama of their specific environment.  This lesson will take a few days to complete.  A variety of materials will be required.  Students will then present their findings to peers at the Environments of the World Fair.


Class Demonstration: Activate prior knowledge about environments/habitats that we have discussed.  Specifically the Madagascar Dragon Tree, Naughty Girl, Ourselves, and the beaver.  Encourage discussion around the plants and animals live in Maine.  Let's look beyond Maine and see what kind of environments animals and plants need.  Call students attention to a variety of books about animals and plants from around the world. Some specific environmental areas could be the rain forest, Antarctica, oceans and desserts.  Enough so that students are able to compare and contrast differences. 

Effective Questions:   How are animals and plants adapted to live in their environment?
                                    What would happen to a plant or animal if it was removed from their environment into another one?   What about people, does environment effect them?  How?