Lesson 2: Local Ecology
Objective
Students will identify relationships and interactions between animals and the local environment.
Introduction
This lesson is student driven and provides several opportunities for student input and voice.
Lesson Description
After allowing students time to observe their surroundings on the school property it’s time to have them pursue their interests.
By allowing them choice in what they want to study will increase student buy-in and engagement.
Students can choose from whatever natural feature they want from the property. A short list includes:
- Plants
- Trees
- Shrubs
- Lichens
- Moss
- Rocks
- Animal Tracks
- Scat
- Fur
- Nests
- Animals
You may have to facilitate students at the selection stage but encourage them based off their observations or take them back out and see what inspires them.
Once their natural feature is chosen have them begin to answer the question, “What is it’s function and purpose? Another way of asking this is, “How does this feature fit into the ecosystem?” Students have the option of how they wish to present their findings to their classmates.
Options include:
- Trail Tale - class discussion while pointing out the location of the natural feature.
- Show and Tell - conducted in the classroom or outside in a round-table presentation format.
- Powerpoint Presentation
- Digital Video Production - no longer than 1 minute presenting function and details of the feature.
- Informative Poster - hands-on design of images and brief description on importance of the natural feature.
Reflection
Students will reflect on their performance by completing a google form. (See sample questions below.)
- What did you like about this project or activity?
- What were you able to do well?
- What did you not like about this project or activity?
- What problems did you have? Why?
References
Scholarly Ecology References
- Berrill, M. and D. Berrill. 1981. The North Atlantic Coast. A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide. Sierra Book Clubs, San Francisco, CA.
- Braun, L. 1950. Deciduous forests of Eastern North America. MacMillan Publ. Co. Inc., New York, N.Y.
- Forman, R. T. T., ed. 1979. Pine Barrens: ecosystems and landscape. Academic Press, N.Y.
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