How can you make an ecosystem in a container?

OVERVIEW

This is an NGSS-aligned problem-based learning activity for young scientists in grade 1 but is also appropriate for students in grades K and 2. Students, with the help of peers and their teacher, design an investigation in life science to answer the big question: How can you make an ecosystem in a container? The activity helps students gain confidence with the PBL approach and provides opportunities for collaborative learning.

The activity contains 4 PDF files: reproducible student card, detailed teacher support document (8 pages), icon image, and document with supplemental PBL tips (4 pages).

1 -- Individual student cards guide students through the activities. Each card poses a big question that students use as a jumping off point to create their own questions to be tested in small, collaborative groups. (physical student cards for multiple students are available; contact info@edtechlens.com)

2 -- Complete teacher support document offers specific suggestions to help students to develop a test question, construct a test, draw conclusions, and show and share conclusions. Each teacher document relates the activity to relevant NGSS standards (DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs) and also suggests a connection to math and ELA standards.

3 -- The icon image may be projected or printed out to provide a visual starting point for the activity.

4 -- A supplemental document on using PBLs (Enriching the PBL Experience with EdTechLens Jump Cards) is also included.

SECTIONS IN TEACHER SUPPORT DOCUMENT

-- Working with students to develop a big question

-- Suggestions for enriching prior knowledge

-- Helping students work through the details of how to develop a question they can test

-- Running the test (materials, timing, location, specifying observations, recording data, etc.)

-- Drawing conclusions

-- Encouraging students to present findings and show what they learned

-- Next Generation Science Standards met while completing the student investigation.

-- Connections to CC Mathematics and English Language Arts are also included.

Sections in Student Card

-- Big question -- Ask a question you can test

-- Record results of your investigation -- Test your question -- Draw conclusions -- Show what you learned

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATION(S)

K-LS1-2 Students determine things plants and animals need to survive in an ecosystem, including using traits that are passed down from parents to offspring.  

STANDARDS

SEP - Scientific Knowledge is Based on Empirical Evidence

DCI - LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms

CCC - Patterns

Connect to Mathematics - 1.NBT.C.4

Connect to English Language Arts - RI.I.10

NEED LEARNING RESOURCES FOR THIS ACTIVITY?

Background information that may be useful in assessing and supplementing prior knowledge before beginning this activity can be found in an EdTechLens unit titled Ecosystems - Food and Energy from the Sun and Humans in the Rainforest, also available on this site.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ecosystems-Food-and-Energy-from-the-Sun-and-Humans-in-the-Rainforest-EPUB-4097835

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ecosystems-Food-and-Energy-from-the-Sun-and-Humans-in-the-Rainforest-PDF-4102838

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-- Lessons, units, graphic organizers, primary sources, and more activities are also available from EdTechLens. View our Contents List by searching this site for Ellen’s  Content List. Learn more about her work at www.edtechlens.com

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