Investigating local ecosystems
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=80
A lesson plan for Grades K–2 Information Skills and Science
About this resource
- Appropriate grades
- K–2
- Subjects
- science (biology and life science, environmental science)
- Provider
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
Legal
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The purpose of this lesson is to use Internet resources to investigate the habitats of local plants and animals. Students explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other. In order to learn about the living environment, young children should begin with direct observation of their immediate surroundings, such as a backyard, schoolyard or local pond. As students observe their environment, they should have many opportunities to record and communicate their findings using words and pictures. The Internet offers many resources to extend student exploration and discussion. It also gives students opportunities to observe environments and organisms that are very different from those near at hand.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Information Skills (2000)
Grade 1
- Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.
- Objective 4.05: Gather information.
- Objective 4.07: Organize and use information.
- Objective 4.09: Present information in a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia).
Grade 2
- Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.
- Objective 4.05: Gather information.
- Objective 4.07: Organize and use information.
- Objective 4.09: Present information in a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia).
Kindergarten
- Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.
- Objective 4.05: Gather information.
- Objective 4.07: Organize and use information.
- Objective 4.09: Present information in a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia).
Science (2005)
Grade 1
- Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and make observations to build an understanding of the needs of living organisms.
- Objective 1.01: Investigate the needs of a variety of different plants:
- Air.
- Water.
- Light.
- Space.
- Objective 1.02: Investigate the needs of a variety of different animals:
- Air.
- Water.
- Food.
- Shelter.
- Space.
- Objective 1.04: Identify local environments that support the needs of common North Carolina plants and animals.
- Objective 1.05: Discuss the wide variety of living things on Earth.
- Objective 1.01: Investigate the needs of a variety of different plants:
Grade 2
- Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and build an understanding of animal life cycles.
- Objective 1.02: Observe that insects need food, air and space to grow.
Kindergarten
- Goal 1: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of similarities and differences in animals.
- Objective 1.01: Observe and describe the similarities and differences among animals including:
- Structure.
- Growth.
- Changes.
- Movement.
- Objective 1.02: Observe how animals interact with their surroundings.
- Objective 1.03: Observe the behaviors of several common animals.
- Objective 1.01: Observe and describe the similarities and differences among animals including:
