|
Ecosystems in a Bottle |
The following is a activity conducted with pre-service teachers in Elementary Science. The activity revolves around the creating and subsequent monitoring of a dual ecosystem. This activity has been very successful in class and has provided many opportunities to point out to pre-service teachers issues of inquiry, observation, data recording, interdependence, sustainability, photosynthesis, water cycle, and other science process and content areas.
As an additional activity students have been asked to keep a blog on their weekly observations. These blogs have allowed for multimedia, descriptions, drawings, and opportunities to share their observations with colleagues, practicing teachers, mentors, students, and to be a part of their permanent "teaching portfolio."
Topic: Ecosystem Dynamics
Learning Objective: Students experience the fragile balance of an ecosystem, how different components interact, and how different inputs impact the system.
Exploration Phase:
Hands-on Activity: Build a TerrAqua investigation column, fill it with soil, plants and water, and observe and record changes over time (Materials and procedure below).
Exploration through Media: Video
Concept Development Phase: Concepts to be taught: Ecosystem dynamics, systems thinking, human impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, energy flow in an ecosystem, pollution and waste, recycling/reuse, and ecosystem services.
Procedures to be taught: Inquiry, experimental design, monitoring a dynamic system through careful observation, and detailed data recording
Blogs on the Dual Ecosystems
http://ecosysteminabottle.weebly.com (
DC and NM )
http://closedecosystemanjm.blogspot.com (
JM, AS, NA, MB)
http://squishy-ecoworld.tumblr.com (
Ana, Marysela and Claudia)
http://bobandfelix-ecosystem.tumblr.com (AH, Holy)
http://bcjecosystems.blogspot.com/ (BG)
http://spring2014ecosystem.blogspot.com (KI, Melissa)
LINK TO ACTIVITY:
CLICK HERE
2 comments:
Regarding the 4/4 post. What is the cost per pupil when there are two classes with only 18 kids? Would be more cost efficient for 18 kids to be in one class.
Not sure I know what you are talking about. Sorry.
Post a Comment