Lesson Plan
Ecosystems: Who's Connected?
Students will be able to identify key components of an ecosystem and explain how organisms within an ecosystem are interconnected, demonstrating an understanding of interdependence.
Understanding ecosystems helps students appreciate the natural world around them and recognize their role in maintaining environmental balance. It also highlights how small changes can have large impacts.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and visual examples.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Ecosystem Connections Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and discussion prompts.
- Print copies of the Web of Life Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the slide deck.
- Review the generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think About Your Breakfast
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Ecosystem Connections Slide Deck (or simply ask orally).
- Ask students to think about everything that went into their breakfast that morning. "Where did it all come from? What living things were involved?"
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, noting student responses on the board.
Step 2
Introduction to Ecosystems
8 minutes
- Transition to the 'What is an Ecosystem?' slide in the Ecosystem Connections Slide Deck.
- Define an ecosystem as a community of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment.
- Provide examples and ask students for their own examples.
- Emphasize the idea of 'interconnectedness' – how everything is linked.
Step 3
The Web of Life Activity
12 minutes
- Distribute the Web of Life Worksheet to each student.
- Display the 'Web of Life' slide in the Ecosystem Connections Slide Deck as a visual aid.
- Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually or in pairs, drawing connections between the organisms and elements.
- Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 4
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few students to share some of the connections they identified on their Web of Life Worksheet.
- Lead a brief discussion on what happens when one part of the web is affected.
- Conclude by reinforcing the importance of every component in an ecosystem.
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Slide Deck
Good Morning, 7th Graders!
Today, we're going to explore how everything is connected... more than you might think!
Let's start with breakfast... what did you eat this morning? Where did it all come from? Think about all the living things involved!
Welcome students and prepare them for a thought-provoking warm-up. This slide is meant to get them thinking about connections in their everyday lives before we dive into ecosystems.
What is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment.
- Living parts: Plants, animals, bacteria, fungi
- Non-living parts: Sunlight, water, soil, air, temperature
Everything is interconnected!
Introduce the concept of an ecosystem. Emphasize that it's not just about animals, but also plants, fungi, bacteria, and non-living components like water and sunlight. Ask for student examples.
The Web of Life
In an ecosystem, every organism and element plays a role.
Think of it like a giant spiderweb. If one string breaks, what happens to the rest of the web?
Let's explore some connections!
This slide visually supports the 'Web of Life' activity. Encourage students to look for direct and indirect connections. Briefly explain the activity they will be doing with the worksheet.
Worksheet
The Web of Life: Connecting the Pieces
Instructions: Below is a list of components you might find in an ecosystem. Draw lines to connect the components that interact with each other. On each line, briefly explain how they are connected.
Ecosystem Components
- Sunlight
- Grass
- Rabbit
- Hawk
- Water (Pond)
- Fish
- Algae
- Decomposers (Bacteria/Fungi in soil)
Your Connections:
-
Sunlight
Grass -
Grass
Rabbit -
Rabbit
Hawk -
Sunlight
Algae -
Algae
Fish -
Water
Fish -
Water
Grass -
Dead Rabbit
Decomposers -
Decomposers
Grass (through soil)
Reflect and Respond:
-
What would happen to the hawk if all the rabbits disappeared? Explain your reasoning.
-
How might a severe drought (lack of water) affect this ecosystem? Name at least three components that would be impacted and how.
-
Why is it important for all parts of an ecosystem to be connected and balanced?
Answer Key
The Web of Life: Connecting the Pieces - Answer Key
Instructions: Below are suggested connections and explanations. Student answers may vary but should demonstrate a clear understanding of interdependence.
Ecosystem Components & Connections:
-
Sunlight
Provides energy for photosynthesis, allowing grass to grow.
Grass -
Grass
Is eaten by the rabbit for energy.
Rabbit -
Rabbit
Is prey for the hawk; the hawk eats the rabbit for energy.
Hawk -
Sunlight
Provides energy for photosynthesis, allowing algae to grow.
Algae -
Algae
Is eaten by the fish or provides oxygen for the fish.
Fish -
Water
Fish live in water and need it to survive.
Fish -
Water
Grass needs water to grow.
Grass -
Dead Rabbit
Decomposers break down the dead rabbit, returning nutrients to the soil.
Decomposers -
Decomposers
Break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients into the soil that grass uses to grow.
Grass (through soil)
Reflect and Respond: Suggested Answers
-
What would happen to the hawk if all the rabbits disappeared? Explain your reasoning.
- Reasoning: If all the rabbits disappeared, the hawks would lose a major food source. This would likely lead to a decrease in the hawk population as they would struggle to find enough food to survive, potentially forcing them to hunt other animals or starve.
- Reasoning: If all the rabbits disappeared, the hawks would lose a major food source. This would likely lead to a decrease in the hawk population as they would struggle to find enough food to survive, potentially forcing them to hunt other animals or starve.
-
How might a severe drought (lack of water) affect this ecosystem? Name at least three components that would be impacted and how.
- Reasoning: A severe drought would significantly impact the ecosystem:
- Grass: The grass would wither and die due to lack of water, impacting the primary producers.
- Rabbit: With less grass, the rabbit population would decrease due to lack of food.
- Fish: The pond water level would drop, potentially drying up, which would kill the fish and algae.
- Hawk: With fewer rabbits, the hawk's food supply would diminish.
- Decomposers: While decomposers need some moisture, extreme dryness could also affect their activity.
- Reasoning: A severe drought would significantly impact the ecosystem:
-
Why is it important for all parts of an ecosystem to be connected and balanced?
- Reasoning: It is important for all parts of an ecosystem to be connected and balanced because each component plays a vital role. If one part is removed or significantly altered, it can create a ripple effect, negatively impacting many other parts of the ecosystem and potentially leading to its collapse or a significant change in its structure. Balance ensures the ecosystem can sustain itself and all its inhabitants.
- Reasoning: It is important for all parts of an ecosystem to be connected and balanced because each component plays a vital role. If one part is removed or significantly altered, it can create a ripple effect, negatively impacting many other parts of the ecosystem and potentially leading to its collapse or a significant change in its structure. Balance ensures the ecosystem can sustain itself and all its inhabitants.