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Science — Grade 5
Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations to build an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals.
Objective 1.06. Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems.
Additional related resources
We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.
General resources
- Find additional resources for teaching Science — Grade 5.
Aligned lesson plans
- Nature's checks and balances
- This unit introduces students to several essential understandings. They will learn that plants and animals depend on one another for survival and organisms interact within nature to create a balance. They will also learn that humans can influence and manipulate nature.
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Science)
- By Nicolette Heise.
Resources on the web
- Working to Save Endangered Species
- Students view an online presentation about endangered species, then role-play a debate about spotted owl protection from the point of view of lumber workers, environmental activists, and government and scientific interests. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Science)
- Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Why Are Species Endangered?
- This lesson introduces and explores the various issues and problems faced by endangered species globally. Following a webquest-style format, students will research the plight of endangered species; create a poster of a selected animal; and present their poster,... (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Science)
- Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- What's happening to the emperor penguins?
- In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about emperor penguins' habitat and behaviors through Web sites such as National Geographic's "Creature Feature." (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- The water column: Where do ocean animals belong?
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about three broad ocean habitats-the intertidal zone, the open ocean, and the abyss-and find out about some specific adaptations animals have made in each of these regions. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Using photography to help save the oceans
- Students will learn about the importance of ocean conservation and how photography can help humans understand the impact they are having on the oceans. They will choose one endangered animal to study in depth. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Social trade-offs
- The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to make and evaluate decisions by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative. In the lesson, students practice the skill of decision-making through role-playing. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)
- Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Really wild animals: Will people change them forever?
- This lesson from Xpeditions asks students to consider the ways in which human activities in the rain forest might affect the behaviors of some well-known African mammals, particularly in the Congo River Basin. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Prairie-chicken pageant
- Students will study the habits of prairie-chickens and learn about what is being done to save them and to conserve the areas in which they live. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- People and African animals
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the ways that human activities impact African animals and their habitats. Activities in this lesson engage students in online learning, whole class discussion, and creation of an artistic project. Students... (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: Xpeditions
- The ocean and human medicine
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about two species of marine animal--Bugula neritina and the horseshoe crab and their medical benefits. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Leopard seals and penguins: A delicate balance
- In this lesson from Xpeditions, students consider the factors that could contribute to the disruption of the delicate balance between leopard seals and penguins in the Antarctic. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Killer windows
- In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear about a study of migratory bird deaths conducted by Field Museum scientists. (Learn more)
- Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Introducing biodiversity
- In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use online resources to identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity and the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)
- Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- If a tree falls in the forest...
- Students will explore the role that forests play in their own lives by listing everyday products made from trees. Then students will research and categorize less common products that may be less familiar to them. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- The garden
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the virtual exhibit, “The Garden”. After the teacher explains that students will learn about the impact human actions have on a variety of areas in the world, they navigate their way through the exhibit... (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)
- Provided by: Xpeditions
- Folktales and ecology: Animals and humans in cooperation and conflict
- Students study relationships between humans and animals in folktales in order to highlight issues concerning ecology and the environment. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities
- Design a regional "eco park"
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the Internet to find out about the plants and animals that live in their local area. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science and Social Studies)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Crane Cam: Conservation and economics
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
- Crane Cam: Conservation and community
- In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. They study crane activity in the Platte River Valley and research the effects of human intervention on bird populations. (Learn more)
- Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
- Provided by: National Geographic
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