Lesson Plan Title:

Ecosystems: Understanding how individual organisms and environmental factors work

together.

Concept / Topic To Teach:

Ecosystems are comprised of animals, plants, additional environmental factors, and more
that work together to sustain the life of varying organisms. Ecosystems are made up of
different elements, including soil, water, sun, and air. Weather also plays a role in
ecosystems. Ecosystems can be water or land-based. Animals live in these ecosystems and
depend on a healthy ecosystem to survive. Animals' homes in ecosystems are referred to as
“habitats.” Biomes are considered much larger ecosystems and encompass a larger area of
terrain. Humans are also part of an ecosystem.

Grade Level:
2nd

General Goal(s):
Students will be able to understand an ecosystem.
Students will be able to list animals in varying habitats.
Students will be able to understand habitats and biomes.

Specific Objectives:
Students will be able to identify the features of a fully functioning ecosystem.
Students will be able to identify different kinds of habitats.
Students will be able to discuss animals and plants that live in varying ecosystems.
Students will be able to discuss varying environmental impacts on ecosystems.
Students will be able to compare and contrast ecosystems, habitats, and biomes.

Required Materials:
PowerPoint Presentation on Ecosystems
Activity paper
Computer

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In):

I will show images of different animals that live in the same habitat. Students will first
discuss for thirty seconds among themselves and identify traits of these animals, such as
what they eat, where they live, weather, and more. Students will discuss as many
similarities they can find about the animals based on the images. Then, after the allotted
time, they will share with the class as many similarities as they could find. The goal of this
is to identify where the students are at in their understanding of how living and non-living
things may correlate before beginning the lesson.

Step-By-Step Procedures:
Students will discuss the images of the animals for thirty seconds (where they live,
what they eat, etc.)
After one minute, students will share with the class their findings.
I will begin the lesson on ecosystems.
I will define an ecosystem in simple terms.
I will discuss the components of an ecosystem.
I will define habitat and its relationship to the ecosystem.
I will define biome and its relationship to the ecosystem.
I will discuss environmental factors that affect an ecosystem.
I will give a thorough explanation of the required activity.
I will explain how Canva operates as well as good sites to find information.
I will show an image of my brochure.
I will explain the rubric so students are aware of expectations for this project and
what score to expect.

Plan For Independent Practice (Activity):

Students will create a brochure in Canva, a free online resource that allows you to make
posters, brochures, flyers, and more with different themes and templates. There will be a
handout on the specific requirements of the activity as well as a rubric given.

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set):

For the closure, students will write a seven-sentence paragraph on what they learned about
their selected ecosystem as well as what was their favorite part of the project. This can be
what they learned, what they enjoyed doing most, etc.

Special Needs Modification:

For special needs students, I can create brochures with outlines so that they do not feel
overwhelmed by needing to create the outline of the brochure along with filling in the
information. I will include spots for the students to draw their own pictures and color their
brochures as they see fit. Additionally, I would have all of the students collectively decide
on the same ecosystem so they could work together and I could assist them.