LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Introducing biodiversity

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=440

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
science (general, environmental science), thinking skills (information literacy, research skills), education technology (educational software, web-based tools)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the amazing variety of life around them. Using online resources, they identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity, the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence. At this level, students should explore how various organisms satisfy their needs in the environments in which they are typically found. They can examine the survival needs of different organisms and consider how the conditions in particular habitats can limit what kinds of living things can survive. An important goal of this lesson is for students to understand that biodiversity is necessary for life and that species preservation is important to all of us. Science NetLinks provides links to the two lessons that are prerequisites for this activity, as well as links to student handouts and the Biodiversity Project website. The lesson plan also suggests helpful questions for class discussion and review of previous material. There are also links for several extension activities that utilize the American Museum of Natural History website.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and build an understanding of plant growth and adaptations.
    • Objective 1.01: Observe and measure how the quantities and qualities of nutrients, light, and water in the environment affect plant growth.
    • Objective 1.02: Observe and describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow in a particular environment.
    • Objective 1.03: Investigate and describe how plants pass through distinct stages in their life cycle including.
      • Growth.
      • Survival.
      • Reproduction.
  • Goal 2: The learner will conduct investigations to build an understanding of soil properties.
    • Objective 2.02: Investigate and observe that different soils absorb water at different rates.
    • Objective 2.03: Determine the ability of soil to support the growth of many plants, including those important to our food supply.

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.
    • Objective 1.01: Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
      • Other animals.
      • Plants.
      • Weather.
      • Climate.
    • Objective 1.02: Observe and record how animals of the same kind differ in some of their characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.
    • Objective 1.03: Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.
    • Objective 1.04: Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.
    • Objective 1.05: Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations to build an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals.
    • Objective 1.01: Describe and compare several common ecosystems (communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
    • Objective 1.02: Identify and analyze the functions of organisms within the population of the ecosystem:
      • Producers.
      • Consumers.
      • Decomposers.
    • Objective 1.03: Explain why an ecosystem can support a variety of organisms.
    • Objective 1.05: Determine the interaction of organisms within an ecosystem.
    • Objective 1.06: Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems.
      • Habitat reduction due to development.
      • Pollutants.
      • Increased nutrients.
    • Objective 1.07: Determine how materials are recycled in nature.