ASSURE Lesson Plan By: Lauren Bohenek

Discovering Ecosystems
3rd Grade Science
Lesson length: 45 minutes, or one class period
Analyze Learners
Setting: Suburban school
Total number of students: 19
Male students: 10
Female students: 9
Students with low learning skills:3
ESL Student:1
Hearing Impaired:0
SPL IEP: 2
Visual/Spatial learners (approximately 1/2 of students)
Kinesthetic learners (approximately 1/3 of students)
Verbal/linguistic learners (two students)
Interpersonal learners (one student)
Logical/Mathematical (one student)
State Objectives
SOL 3.6 (a & b) Students will investigate and understand that ecosystems support a diversity
of plants and animals that share limited resources. Emphasis on aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems.
Select Media, Materials, and Methods
Media:
1 SMART Board
1 Computer with Google Earth installed that is connected to SMART Board
17 laptops with Google Earth installed
17 headphone sets
Materials:
Google Earth
YouTube access
Library books or National Geographic magazines that highlight different ecosystems
Ecosystems charts and cutouts (inspired by Pebble Go)
Scissors
Glue
Pencils
Science journals

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Methods
Whole group discussion
- Teacher states objectives
- Teacher models how to use Google Earth and provides directions
Independent Practice
-Students individually complete virtual tour on laptops
Whole group discussion
- Class discusses different animals and plants seen in each section
- Teacher provides instruction for small group activity
Small Group Activity
- Groups create a list of different plants and animals found within their given ecosystem
- Students use library books and magazines for help stimulate ideas
Independent Assessment
- Students will individually complete ecosystems chart
Utilize Media, Materials, and Methods
Media:
SMART Board- will be used to write objective, explanations, and definitions for terms such as
ecosystem
Computer linked to SMART Board- used by teacher to model how students will access Google
Earth and complete the virtual tour
17 laptops with Google Earth installed- used by students to individually view the virtual tour
created in advance by the teacher.
17 headphone sets- used by students to listen to information when individually completing
virtual tour
Materials:
Google Earth- used to complete virtual tour of four different ecosystems
YouTube access- used to complete virtual tour of four different ecosystems
Library books or National Geographic magazines - used to spark ideas and provide small
groups with examples of different ecosystem animals and plants
Ecosystems charts and cutouts- used to assess students differentiation of animals and plants
in different environments and meet the objective
Scissors- cutout different animals and plants for ecosystems chart
Glue - paste cutouts onto the chart
Pencils and science journal- create and record group listing of animal examples in each
ecosystem
Methods:
Whole group discussion- TTW states objectives and provide definitions on Smartboard along
with objective. Next TTW model how to use Google Earth to complete virtual tour and provide
students with directions
Independent Practice- SW individually complete virtual tour on laptops

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Whole group discussion- TTW lead class discussion of different animals and plants seen in
each section. Next TW provide instruction for small group activity and divide students into
groups and assign each group a different ecosystem.
Small Group Activity- In groups SW create a list of different plants and animals found within
their given ecosystem and record in science journals. SW use library books and magazines for
help stimulate ideas and examples.
Independent Assessment: SW individually complete ecosystems chart
Require Learner Participation
Whole Group Discussion:
The teacher will state the objective- students will investigate and understand aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems. Ask students what they think aquatic and terrestrial mean; then provide
definitions of the words on the SmartBoard (aquatic=water and terrestrial=land). Also review
definition of ecosystem with students and include the definition on the board (ecosystem- all
living things in a specific area, how they interact with one another, and how they interact with
nonliving things). Next the teacher will model how to use Google Earth to complete virtual tour
and provide students with directions (to change locations click yellow thumbtack on left
toolbar, read the white textbox that appears, only watch the videos in this virtual tour- do not
begin watching other youtube videos).
Independent Practice:
Students will individually complete virtual tour on laptops using headphones.
Whole Group Discussion:
Class will join back together after virtual tour and teacher will lead class discussion of different
animals and plants seen in each section (what types of animals did you notice? Do you know
some of them by name? What were the similarities and differences between the animals in
different environments?). Next the teacher will provide instruction for small group activity and
divide students into five groups and assign each group a different ecosystem (rainforest, coral
reef, polar region, desert, and grasslands).
Small Group Activity:
In groups, students will create a list of different plants and animals found within their given
ecosystem and record them in their science journals. Students can use library books and
magazines for help stimulate ideas and examples. Once students have written a thorough list
(appx 10 plants and animals total) then they can draw a picture of the ecosystem with the
different animals and plants.
Independent Assessment:
Students will individually complete ecosystems chart by cutting out pictures of various plants
and animals and then gluing them under the correct ecosystem heading.

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Evaluate & Revise
Student Performance:
The students will be evaluated on their understanding of different ecosystems via the end
assessment. Students will also be assessed on their ability to work in small groups and
actively participate to create a list of living things within a specific ecosystem. In addition
students will be evaluated on their ability to follow directions and engagement in the Google
Earth virtual tour.
Instructor Performance:
Teacher will walk about students when they are completing virtual tour to ensure the directions
were clear and students are able to navigate through Google Earth. During the small group
activity, the teacher will listen to students' group conversations to ensure they are focused and
grasp the concept of differing animals and plants in the different ecosystems. However, if this
becomes disinteresting for students, other options may be included in the future instead of
simply writing a list such as: creating a song or drawing a detailed picture with labels of an
ecosystem. Lastly the teacher will determine if students understood and met the objective
through the ending assessment worksheet. If necessary the teacher will review and reteach
the material before moving onto a more in-depth study of populations in living systems and
human impact.
Media Performance:
The technology used (i.e. Google Earth) serves as a window of opportunity for students to see
and experience different ecosystems throughout the world. It is good exposure for students to
see the vastness of the world and the numerous ecosystems that are included on Earth. The
system was a success if students were able to navigate through the virtual tour and listen to
the various youtube video links.

Ecosystem Chart
Coral Reefs

Desert

Rainforest

(PebbleGo, 2010)

Polar

Grasslands

My favorite ecosystem is _______________ because _____________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Which Ecosystem? (PebbleGo, 2010)

Camel

Macaw

Shark

Cactus

Grass

Penguin

Liana

Prairie Dog

Rattlesnake

Frog

Clown Fish

Seal

Stingray

Roadrunner

Blue whale

Bison

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References
Pebble Go. (2010). Ecosystem sorting chart lesson plan. Capstone Publishers. Retrieved from:
https://assets.pebblego.com/docs/science/lessonecosortchart.pdf