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

Design a regional "eco park"

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/tgecopark.html

A lesson plan for grade 5 Science and Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the Internet to find out about the plants and animals that live in their local area and design “eco parks” containing local plants and animals. Students learn to use technology and map skills through the activities in this lesson.

Students will:

  • describe some of the plants and animals they have seen in their area, or imagine the plants and animals that might have lived there before the city was built;
  • use the Web to find out what ecoregion they live in, and take notes about this ecoregion;
  • research and answer questions about one or more natural areas near their homes; and
  • design “eco parks” for their local area.

Xpeditions provides links to necessary web resources, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

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 1.04: Discuss and determine the role of light, temperature, and soil composition in an ecosystem's capacity to support life.
    • 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.
  • Goal 2: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of landforms.
    • Objective 2.06: Identify and use models, maps, and aerial photographs as ways of representing landforms.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply key geographic concepts to the United States and other countries of North America.
    • Objective 1.04: Describe the economic and social differences between developed and developing regions in North America.
    • Objective 1.06: Explain how people of the United States and other countries of North America adapt to, modify, and use their physical environment.