Christa Rollins
Inquiry Lesson Plan Format
(Undergraduate)
Title of Lesson: __Exploring Ecosystems
Subject:__science
1.
Content: ecosystems
Grade Level:_2nd___
Brief Description of the Learning Activity: The teacher will read the book The Water Hole by:
Graeme Base. Then the teacher will show a short clip on www.youtube.com about ecosystems.
This is so students can also visualize the lesson. Then the students will invent their own
ecosystem and justify it.
2.
Oklahoma Academic Standards: 2-LS4-1 Biological Unity and Diversity
Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems
in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to simple investigations, which
provide data to support explanations or design solutions. • Make observations (firsthand or
from media) to collect data which
can be used to make comparisons. Analyzing and
interpreting data Using mathematics and computational
thinking ‘Constructing explanations
(for science)
and designing solutions (for engineering) ’Engaging in argument from
evidence “Obtaining, evaluating, and
communicating information
ELA/Literacy
W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic
to produce a report; record science observations). W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or
gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Biodiversity and Humans: • There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and
they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in each of a variety of different
habitats. Students could explore different habitats around their school, aquariums,
neighborhoods.
3.
Instructional Objectives: What will the students know and do as a result of this experience? The
student will be able to create and identify an ecosystem and justify it.
4.
Teaching/Learning:
A. Engage: The teacher will read the book The Water Hole by: Graeme Base and purpose the
big question, “What do animals or plants need to live in each ecosystem?”
B. Explore: Students will then explore different books with different ecosystems and obtain
information. Then they will choose an animal and build it out of legos.
C. Explain: Students will then explain their reasoning for choosing or inventing their animal.
They will also tell me what all this animal does that makes it livable in that ecosystem. They
should say something along the lines of… I chose the desert because I like a hot climate. I also
like to see animals that are reptiles such as a snake, lizard, etc. I would need water and food to
Christa Rollins
survive. A plant you can find in this ecosystem is a cactus.
D. Elaborate: The teacher then elaborates on that all animals need food, water, air, shelter. Then
she talks about why a polar bear can’t live in the desert and other examples. Then the teacher
gives examples of different animals that belong in the ecosystems and why. The teacher also
gives the students several resources to check into. One resource is the website
http://www.neok12.com/Ecosystems.htm Another source for more information is
http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0164-ecosystems.php.
E. Evaluate: Students will recreate a model of the ecosystem of their choice in a shoebox
labeling using at least 5 vocabulary words. The students will give a short presentation of why
and the key elements of their ecosystem.
F. Accommodations/Modifications: I could have the students having trouble with this
assessment choose the correct ecosystem card that goes with where we live and tell my helper
three reasons why. I also have playdough animals they could use if having trouble with the legos.
For the higher level learners I could also get them to tell what two animals could not live in our
ecosystem and why.
G. Extensions: Students who finish early are a loud to free build their favorite thing within an
ecosystem. Then they can present it after everyone is done.
5.
Developmentally Appropriate: This lesson is developmentally appropriate because it is aligned
with the Oklahoma Academic Standards for 2nd grade. It is also appropriate because it uses fun
hands on activities that students can relate to. I also picked some vocabulary words from
www.quizlet.com from the 2nd grade list for ecosystems.
6.
Technology: The teacher will use www.youtube.com to show the short video clip learning about
Ecosystems.
Materials: The materials needed for this lesson are the books (The Water Hole by: Graeme
Base), youtube.com, science journals, pencils, legos, and ecosystem sorting cards.
7.
Quizlet
QWait('dom',function(){document.getElementById('PrintLogo').setAttribute('src',"https://quizlet.com/a/i
/global/logo_print.du83.png")});. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2016, from
https://quizlet.com/11754303/ecosystems-3rd-grade-vocabulary-flash-cards/
M. (2014). Learning About Ecosystems. Retrieved June 14, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQjbqgPxKc0
