SCIENCE

TEKS:

5.1A The student is expected to demonstrate safe lab practices during field and lab investigations.

5.2 The student uses scientific methods during field and lab investigations.

5.3 The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions.

5.4 The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct a science inquiry.

Language Arts Teks:

5.1 The student listens actively and purposefully in a variety of settings.

5.2 The student listens critically to analyze and evaluate speaker’s messages.

5.5 The student speaks clearly and appropriately to different audiences for different purposes and occasion.

5.9) Science concepts. The student knows that adaptations

may increase the survival of the species.

Resources:

Harcourt Science Unit B Chapter 2

Communities in Nature: Instructional Fair

The Earth Amazing Facts Activity Fun Book

www.angelfire.com/tx4/lessons/eco3.html

Discovering Ecosystems

Objectives:

TLW discover Ecosystems p B28-31

TLW observe a plot of our local environment.

TLW predict what living and nonliving organisms will be found.

TLW investigate organisms in an area of 1m X 1m.

TLW create slides from area and observe findings.

TLW classify and order organisms into herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore and carrion eaters.

TLW read B34 – B58

TLW discuss Chapter review with peers.

TLW begin Ecosystems webquest www.angelfire.com/tx4/lessons.eco3.html

TLW be assigned the following Ecosystems to analyze: Pond Community, Forest Community, Grassland Community, and Ocean Community. Communities in Nature handouts

TLW use the Internet, library, textbooks, etc. to research these different ecosystems and write and informative paragraph about each.

TLW design an illustration for informative narrative paper.

TLW create a map and a travel brochure for their favorite community. TLW use Microsoft Word or Publisher for the brochure.

Important information:

What is this ecosystem-provide full definition and description

Where is this ecosystem located?

Are there different types?

What kinds of plants and animals live there?

What is the weather like?

Evaluation

Paragraph rubric:

40	30	20	10
Paragraph is written legibly, uses some elaborate vocabulary for a 3rd grader, uses correct grammar most of the time, stays on task, gives complete information of subject.	Paragraph is written legibly, uses few elaborate vocabulary for a 3rd grader, uses correct grammar half of the time, stays on task, gives information, but could leave extra details out.	Paragraph is written legibly, uses no elaborate vocabulary, makes many grammar mistakes, stays on task, skips from fact to fact with no sequence, give random information with no details.	Paragraph is not written legibly, uses simple sentences with no elaborate vocabulary, makes many grammar mistakes, does not stick to the subject, facts are random with no sequencing or details.

Project Rubric:

Paragraph	Illustration	Brochure	Map
possible 40	possible 20	possible 20	possible 20
total	total	total	total

Conclusion

By completing this project, you will gain knowledge of the world around us. You will discover different ecosystems and where they are located. You will use geography skills to label a map. You will also use language skills to write about your ecosystem and in designing a travel brochure.

Credits & References

aaaclipart.com
aaabackground.com
harrythecat.com
TifTech Region 20 template