Unit #: ___6_____ Subject(s): ___Science___________________ Grade(s): ___5____ Designer(s): Sarah Jones, Amanda Dyer, Kimberly Kopp
STAGE 1 – DESIRED RESULTS
Unit Title: _____Ecosystems_________
Understandings: Students will understand that…
 Living things are organized into systems that are interconnected.
 Interactions with and among living systems cause changes in matter, energy,
and environment.
 The energy for life is ultimately derived from the sun.
 Sustaining life requires energy and matter inputs.
 Ecosystems are constantly changing.
Essential Questions:
 In what ways are environmental systems connected?
 How do changing environmental systems affect organisms, including
humans?
Students will know:
 There are different types of ecosystems. Ecosystems can be divided into two
types according to their characteristics: terrestrial and aquatic
 Students know typical visual representations of the various ecosystems, as
well as graphic representations of the food chains and webs, cycles, and
energy pyramids that are commonly associated with ecosystems.
 Students know that organisms in an ecosystem can be producers, consumers,
or decomposers.
 Students know that producers convert energy from the sun into organic
matter through the process of photosynthesis.
 Students know that all of the organisms in an ecosystem have interconnected
relationships.
 Students know that because of this interconnected relationship, factors that
impact one population within an ecosystem may impact other populations
within that ecosystem.
Students will be able to:
 Explain the similarities and differences between biomes.
 Separate the different ecosystems into terrestrial or aquatic based on their
characteristics.
 Identify the similarities and differences between food webs and food chains.
 List and describe the different organisms found within an ecosystem.
(producers, consumers, decomposers)
 Interpret visual representations of various ecosystems.
 Explain that producers are the organisms responsible for converting energy
from the sun.
 Describe the interconnected relationships between organisms within an
ecosystem.
 Analyze the relationship between different populations within a community.
Key Vocabulary Terms:
food chains, food webs, energy pyramid, animal and plant adaptations, prey/predator,
competition, natural resources, life cycles, population, communities, habitat,
terrestrial, producer, consumer, decomposer, biotic, abiotic, biome, water ecosystems
(estuaries, oceans, lakes, ponds), land ecosystems (forests, grasslands)
Adapted from Understanding by Design, Unit Design Planning Template (Wiggins/McTighe 2005)
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Unit #: ___6_____ Subject(s): ___Science___________________ Grade(s): ___5____ Designer(s): Sarah Jones, Amanda Dyer, Kimberly Kopp
5.L.2
STAGE 1– Standards
Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.
5.L.2.1
Compare the characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds, forests, and grasslands.
5.L.2.2
Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).
5.L.2.3
Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.
5.TT.1
Use technology tools and skills to reinforce and extend classroom concepts and activities.
5.SI.1
Apply criteria to determine appropriate information resources for specific topics and purposes.
5.RP.1
Apply a research process as part of collaborative research.
Adapted from Understanding by Design, Unit Design Planning Template (Wiggins/McTighe 2005)
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Unit #: ___6_____ Subject(s): ___Science___________________ Grade(s): ___5____ Designer(s): Sarah Jones, Amanda Dyer, Kimberly Kopp
STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
Performance Tasks:
 Task 3: RAFT
 Task 6: Earth Rounds Experiment
 Food Webs
http://lesson-plans.theteacherscorner.net/science/earth/foodwebs.php
 Build a Food Web Activity
http://www.sciencegeek.net/Biology/biopdfs/FoodWebActivity.pdf
Other Evidence:
Formative
 Task 1: A & D Statements I
 Task 2: A & D Statements II
 Task 4: Animal Adaptations Chart
 Task 5: Biome Booklet
 Uncovering Student Ideas in Science - Volume 2 Habitat Change pg. 143
 Uncovering Student Ideas in Science - Volume 3 Rotting Apple pg. 139
 Uncovering Student Ideas in Science - Volume 3 Earth’s Mass pg. 147
Summative
 Task 8: Ecosystems Pre-Test (Answer Key)
 Task 9: Ecosystems Mini Assessments (Answer Key)
 Task 10: End of Unit Assessment
Key Criteria:
 RAFT Rubric (see Task 3)
STAGE 3 – LEARNING PLAN
District Resources:
 Ecosystems STC kit
 Live Binder - CCS 5th Grade Scienceology
 Discovery Education:
1. Planet Earth: Pole to Pole
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=571f31e5-0f6f-45ea-9c5e3a236a7bc5cb&layout=standalone
2. Food Chain Mystery
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=020daef5-fcda-4996-b4140fa0657e82cd&fromMyDe=0&isPrinterFriendly=0&provider=&isLessonFromHealt
h=0&productcode=US&isAssigned=false&includeHeader=YES&homeworkGuid=
3. You in the Food Web
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=38e436c0-27f9-4390-b02fe62b349ed2c5&fromMyDe=0&isPrinterFriendly=0&provider=&isLessonFromHeal
th=0&productcode=US&isAssigned=false&includeHeader=YES&homeworkGuid=
Supplemental Resources:
 Task 7: Adaptations/Learned Behaviors Power Point
 Live Binder – NC Common Core and Essential Standards
 http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=217643
 Mr. Parr Songs – (YouTube) “Decomposers Song”, “My Biome Song”,
“Ecosystems Song”, “It Starts with Producers Songs”, “Adaptations Song”
 NCDPI 5th Science Resources – Ecosystems
http://scnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/K-5+Science+Resources
 Study Jams – Ecosystems
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/index.htm
 Tropical Treasure Hunt
http://www.lauracandler.com/tropicaltreasurehunt.php
 Producers Consumers Decomposers Game
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/produce
rsconsumersgame.htm
 Life Processes and Living Things
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/science2e.htm
Adapted from Understanding by Design, Unit Design Planning Template (Wiggins/McTighe 2005)
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Unit #: ___6_____ Subject(s): ___Science___________________ Grade(s): ___5____ Designer(s): Sarah Jones, Amanda Dyer, Kimberly Kopp
Discovery Education Resources
Standard 5.L.2
Video:
TEAMS: Ecosystems: Interdependence
Interdependence of Organisms within Ecosystems: A Classroom Simulation
Interaction Among Organisms in an Ecosystem: Interdependence
How Change Impacts an Ecosystem
Creature Features: Changes to Environment
Rain forest Scientists (BGL)
Instructional Images:
Ecosystem, definition (AGL)
Standard 5.L.2.1
Video:
Estuaries
Oceans
Lakes
Rivers and Streams
The Grasslands Biome
Wetlands
Ecology: Introduction (BGL)
Communities and Ecosystems: Succession Patterns and Effects of Change
(AGL)
Standard 5.L.2.2
Video:
Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers
Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores
Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Decomposers
Producers and Consumers
The Cycling of Nutrients in the Forest Ecosystem: Producers, Consumers, and
Decomposers
The Food Chain Mystery (BGL)
The Flow of Energy through Ecosystems (AGL)
Standard 5.L.2.3
Video:
Communities and Interdependence
Ecosystems: A Symbiotic Relationship Between Organisms and the
Environment
How Change Impacts an Ecosystem
Adapted from Understanding by Design, Unit Design Planning Template (Wiggins/McTighe 2005)
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Unit #: ___6_____ Subject(s): ___Science___________________ Grade(s): ___5____ Designer(s): Sarah Jones, Amanda Dyer, Kimberly Kopp
Galapagos
Reading Rainbow: Alejandro’s Gift (BGL)
Systems Thinking and Human Impact: Interconnected Systems (AGL)
Audio:
Pass the Honey, Please
Standard 5.TT.1
Video:
A Year In Tech
Technology at Work: Part 01
Technology At Work: Part 02
TEAMS: Geometry in My World: Properties of Polyhedrons: Technology in the
Classroom and Journal Writing
Enhancing Education Through Technology
Creating a Career with the Media Arts in Mind 4: The Benefits of Technology
Standard 5.SI.1
Video:
Visual Resources
Discovering Language Arts: Primary: Reading: A Closer Look at Previewing
Resources
Utilizing Your Resources
Standard 5.RP.1
Video:
Internet Research Techniques
Discovering Language Arts: Primary: Research: Have Information, Will
Research
Real World Science: The Scientific Method: The Research Method
When I Grow Up: I Want to Be a Librarian
Modern Library and Research Skills: Internet and Electronic Research Skills:
Where Do I Begin Research?
Modern Library and Research Skills: Internet and Electronic Research Skills:
Using the Internet for Research
Virtual Lab:
Presenting Research
Differentiated Resources (AIG, ESL, EC, Technology, etc.):
Adapted from Understanding by Design, Unit Design Planning Template (Wiggins/McTighe 2005)
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