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Context of lesson:
Sources:
Claire Forhan
6th grade
Ecosystem Interdependence
90 minutes
Students will investigate ecosystem interdependence and discuss the effects of changes to
ecosystems. Students will act as a factor in an ecosystem (either biotic or abiotic) and will describe
their connections with one another in that ecosystem. Students will then synthesize this learning by
drawing an interdependence map, highlighting the different connections among factors in
ecosystems.
Prior to this lesson, students have been exploring the different types of ecosystems and biomes.
They have developed an understanding of abiotic and biotic factors and their interdependence
within an ecosystem. Students have just taken a quiz assessing their knowledge of the levels of
ecosystems and began discussing interdependence. After this lesson students will begin identifying
trophic levels and the role each factor plays within the levels.
Oakland Schools Science Scope (MAISA), Maureen Young
Learning Goals
Students will be able to
illustrate the concept of
interdependence.
Students will be able to
predict how changes in
one population might
affect other populations
based upon their
relationships in the
food web.
Crosscutting Concepts:
Patterns
Patterns can be used to identify cause and effect
relationships. (MS-LS2-2)
Connection to
Activities
The class will
create a food web
demonstrating the
interdependence of
factors within an
ecosystem by
tossing yarn back
and forth to each
interdependent
factor. Students
will visually see the
intersection and
connection
between factors.
EEE Connection
What is interdependence?
How are factors in an ecosystem interdependent?
The factors in an ecosystem are interdependent because each biotic or abiotic factor
interacts with another factor in the ecosystem. Removing one factor will affect the
factors that were interdependent upon the eliminated factor. For example, in our
class food web, when we removed the earthworm, the fish and bird lost a source of
food. If the food source for the fish and bird decrease, then the fish and bird
population may decrease, or the bird may consume more grass, causing the grass
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population to decrease. We found that removing one factor affects not just the
factors connected to it, but all other factors in the ecosystem.
Anticipating
student ideas,
including
alternative
ideas,
misconceptions,
and prior
knowledge:
I can address these misconceptions by highlighting in our discussion that other factors determine the
level of energy an organism has. This topic will be explicitly covered in our discussions of trophic levels
in a future lesson.
Making the
content
accessible to all
students; equity
leverage points
Materials:
This misconception will be addressed by providing students with non-examples from our simulated
ecosystem to point out that a food web does not always illustrate indirect predator/prey relationships.
Students will have prior knowledge about biotic and abiotic factors within an ecosystem, and a
beginning understanding of interdependence.
Language- discussion surrounding the meaning of interdependence and other key vocabulary
Explicitness- we will discuss that there are many ways to connect each factor of an ecosystem.
Content- this is an introduction lesson to interdependence. Providing a visual demonstration on the
interconnectedness of factors in an ecosystem, and then requiring students to translate their learning
into a visual representation allows the students to interact with the content in multiple ways.
Equal Participation- every student will have one factor in the ecosystem and will have to connect
themselves to another factor in the ecosystem. Each student will explain the interdependence of their
factor upon the other, and hold part of the string web.
Choice- Students will have the option to create their food web on their tablets or hand drawn to
account for preference and those without technology.
Instructional Sequence
String, note cards with elements of ecosystems, google classroom assignments
15
min.
Starter Question
What is interdependence? What role does a shoe play in an
ecosystem?
Discuss starter question. Have students share out ideas. Develop the
idea that even an object like a shoe can have an impact on the
ecosystem. For example: it can destroy plants if it steps on them; when
Introduce Activity
Today well be simulating the relationships among organisms in an
ecosystem. Each of you will receive a note card with an element of an
ecosystem (biotic or abiotic) and you will decide what other factor with
which you most closely relate. Youll name the factor you connect with,
how you connect with that element, make eye contact with that
University of Michigan, Elementary Teacher Education Program
For interns beginning the program in Fall 2014 and beyond
Answer management
questions
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element, and toss - not chuck - the ball of yarn to the factor you
connect with.
Once you receive the yarn, what do you think you should do
with it?
Why might it be important that you hold onto the string and
leave some slack?
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14. In an ecosystem, many animals eat more than one thing (web rather than chain) which creates a
more stable food source. In a habitat with a diverse population, there are more food sources.
Biodiversity provides a more stable food web. If one component is removed, the remaining
organisms still have potential food.
15. What would happen if one part of the environment were removed?
16. Test your prediction. As a group, pick one person to let go of the string. Which part(s) of the
environment would you not want to release the string?
17. Which parts seem to be the most important for maintaining the relationships in the circle?
18. Look at the connections to air and to water. Why are there so many?
Time:
30 min.
Reflection
Goals for this
lesson
My goal is to engage the students in cognitive work to make sense of interdependence as presented in
the simulation. I plan to support students in making connections beyond the simulation that will support
their further learning about ecosystems and interdependence. This will be done through discussion
during the engage element.
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