Millions of teachers have the pleasure of teaching science on a daily basis. Science is one of those subjects that is always a blast for kids- which makes it fun to teach. Classes are often hands-on, interactive, and intriguing. It gives kids tasks and real-life learning opportunities that they are able to connect with. Teaching certain subsections of science is sometimes more engaging than others, and with our help- you should be able to effectively engage learners in a fun ecosystem lesson. Read on for 15 activities to captivate learners while learning about ecosystems and biomes.
1. Ecosystems and Biomes Foldable
Students will embark on a reading and research journey with this foldable all about ecosystems and biomes. They will explore forest ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and more as they write, color, and map their way around the world’s ecosystems.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
2. Food Web Ecosystem Building Cards
These cards include a variety of games and instructions to explain them. Build food webs and food chains, identify trophic levels, and more with these handy resources.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
3. Ecosystem Challenge
Kids in 4th and 5th grade will love this lesson because it includes a set of interactive games to help challenge them on their knowledge of ecosystems. It’s the perfect post-lesson activity to assess understanding.
Learn More: PBS Learning Media
4. Classic Diorama
This one is a classic- what better way to illustrate the elements of ecosystems than by letting kids get creative and do a fun craft? Whether they’re displaying a deciduous forest ecosystem or the dry conditions of the desert, a shoebox and some household items really get kids excited!
Learn More: The Owl Teacher
5. Create Your Own Ecosystem
Teach kids about environmental factors with this experimental unit on creating an ecosystem using real plants!
Learn More: The Owl Teacher
6. Read Around the Room
Compile all of your favorite picture books about the ecosystem and have your students read around the room to learn fun and interesting facts about the ecosystem. This makes an excellent project to start off your ecosystem unit.
Learn More: Amazon
7. Ecosystem Lab
This lab takes place over the course of 15 days and includes a step-by-step outline to teach kids all they will ever need to know about the ecosystem. From energy flow in food webs to the water cycle, and everything in between, kids will absolutely LOVE coming to science for these 15 days.
Learn More: Teach With Fergy
8. Energy Pyramid
Provide students with a blank pyramid that is already labeled and have them complete it with examples of decomposers, primary consumers, producers, and the other pieces of the pyramid. This makes a great solo or group project.
Learn More: Pinterest
9. Interactive Vocabulary Smartphone
Help students learn all of their ecosystem vocabulary words with these fun crafty smartphones that have flaps to reveal definitions. Students will draw the word, and write the definition, to reinforce learning on these realistic phones.
Learn More: Teach Student Savvy
10. Brochure and Poster
This small group project has students research and then present their findings by creating educational brochures and pamphlets to present to their peers. This would be a great project for a parent night or gallery walk.
Learn More: Teacher Trap
11. Biome Coloring Pages
Younger students will love these coloring pages that teach them about the various biomes. Basic information will help students understand and create background knowledge to utilize in the future.
Learn More: Pinterest
12. Ecosystems Food Web Marble Maze
This is a fantastic STEM project for students to study food chains and webs. The students must choose a biome or type of ecosystem and then follow the instructions to create their own marble maze that requires the marble to follow the web correctly.
Learn More: Teach Student Savvy
13. Biotic and Abiotic Sorting
A file folder and some cutouts of living species create a fun word sort for students learning about these elements of nature and food webs. This project is perfect for centers or partner work!
Learn More: Little Lovely Leaders
14. Mobile Museum Project
This extremely engaging and beautiful activity has students do some research on an ecosystem of their choice and then compile all the information into several parts. When they are finished, they will have a full visual project called the “Mobile Museum” which can then be used for a gallery walk or other presentation.
Learn More: Tarheel State Teacher
15. Habitat on a Plate Project
Similar to a diorama, but way less intensive and easier to create, students will design a habitat to focus on the specific plants and animals that live there. It will include a brief description and a lot of prework in the form of research!
Learn More: Around the Kampfire
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