Ecosystem Studies

These selected lesson plans guide students in studying ecosystems.

Flipbook Succession
As students walk (or crawl) along a transect line, they will observe differences in the types and abundance of plants, draw these changes, and make a flipbook to show stages of succession. CLICK HERE.

Forest Scavenger Hunt
Students take part in an outdoor scavenger hunt to identify and review roles of organisms that make up a forest ecosystem. CLICK HERE.

Forests and Sunlight
Students will visit two different types of forest sites. They will observe and take measurements to help determine the role that sunlight plays in each area. CLICK HERE.

Investigating Animals in Soil
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record observations of small animal activity. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. CLICK HERE.

Investigating Animals in Water
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record water animals. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. CLICK HERE.

One Square Meter
This series of activities will introduce students to the concept of a quadrat study. Students will discover the various components of their environment by carefully studying a small, delineated sample area. These activities will allow students to use the science process skills of observation, data collection, and recording. CLICK HERE.

Quadrat Sampling 101
Students plan and conduct a simple sampling activity to estimate the population of grass plants in an area. CLICK HERE.