LESSONPLANTEMPLATE

ChristianOMalley
EcologicalFarming
8thGradeStudents

STANDARDS
MS-LS2-4 - Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or
biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-ESS3-3 - Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a
human impact on the environment.*

LESSONSUMMARY/OVERVIEW
Ecological farming is a technique that is independent from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Ecological farming means respecting nature and ecosystems by using organic substances like
compost and manures, to cultivate rich soil. This in turn protects the water system by promoting
strengths of an ecosystem like promoting biodiversity. There are a majority of complex systems
that exist within an ecological farm. During this lesson, students will explore the systems within
an ecological farm, and what it means to have a symbiotic relationship. Students will work as a
class, and in partners to explain and discover all of the implications and benefits that come with
respecting nature.

OBJECTIVES

Students will evaluate what it means to respect nature by discovering the environmental
implications.
Students will create connections to describe what a symbiotic relationship means.
Students will discover the part they play in the agricultural food chain.

ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION
I will use the summaries that the students write in their scientific journals to assess their
understanding.

PREREQUISITEKNOWLEDGE
Students will use their understanding of an ecosystem and biodiversity to analyze the systems
that are a part of an agricultural ecosystem.

MATERIALS
1. Flashcards
2. Scientific Notebooks

VOCABULARY/KEYWORDS
1. Biodiversity - the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
2. Ecosystem - a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical
environment.
3. Symbiosis - interaction between two different organisms living in close physical
association, typically to the advantage of both.
4. Respect - a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their
abilities, qualities, or achievements.

TEACHINGPROCEDURES
1. The teacher will pass prepare enough flashcards so each student has one. Half of the
flashcards will have the first half of the symbiotic relationship, or the cause. The other
half will have the effect, or second half of the symbiotic relationship. The cards should be
numbered (Be sure to keep a copy of which numbers match, so you can assure that the
students are correct when performing the activity). If there are thirty students in the
classroom, numbers 1-15 should be causes. 16-30 should be effects.
2. The teacher will pass these cards out to students.
3. The teacher will explain to the students the way that the flashcards work.
4. The teacher will instruct the students to analyze the cards, and make a prediction as to
what they think the match to their card is. When the students feel confident in their
prediction, they will write it in their scientific notebook in the form of a hypothesis.
5. Starting with number one, the student will stand up and read their card out loud. The
person who thinks they are the effect will stand up and read their card out loud.
6. The teacher will assure that this is the correct match, if so these two will be partners.
7. This process will continue on 1-15. It is important that the students listen to each of the
partners who are speaking.
8. After all of the partners are together, the students will work together to answer questions
such as: Why is this connection relevant? What are some other unseen effects of this
connection? How does this embody a respect for nature? etc.
9. The students will write their answers in writing form, inside of their scientific notebook.
10. Students will explain if their prediction was correct. If it wasnt correct, they will explain
why.
11. If there is time left over, the students will be given the opportunity to share to the class.
WAYSOFTHINKINGCONNECTION

Thislessonconnectstovaluesthinkingbyaskingstudentstoconnecttheirownpersonalvalues,
anddefinitionofrespect,toecologicalagriculture.Theywillalsoneedtotakeintoaccount
opposingvalues,andusetheseideastoshapetheiranswers.