5th Grade Science Unit

1
Ecosystems

• 5th Grade Science Unit

2
How does an ecosystem support a variety
of organisms?
3
An ecosystem consists of a set of
living organisms (plants,animals and
microorganisms) all interacting among themselves
and with the environment in which they live.
4
An ecosystem does not have precise
boundaries itcan be as small as a pond or a
dead tree, or as large as the Earth itself.
5
The Investigation

• You and your
• partner(s) will choose
• one ecosystem to
• investigate. You are to find information on the
  ecosystem and its organisms. Use (and answer) the
  guiding questions as you conduct your research.
  Record your answers on a lotus diagram. You will
  then create a PowerPoint presentation and use it
  to teach others about the ecosystem and its
  organisms.

6
Types of Ecosystems

• Deserts
• Coniferous Forests
• Deciduous Forests
• Grasslands
• Savannas
• Tundra
• Rainforests
• Oceans
• Wetlands
• Marshes

Click on an ecosystem to begin your
investigation!
Credits
7
Forest Ecosystems of CanadaClassroom
ClipartUniversity of Cincinnati-Clermont
CollegeThe Living SchoolbookVirtual Center for
Spatial Analysis and Remote SensingTexas Parks
and WildlifeEarth ObservatoryAndrea Home
PageColorado Steinborns on the WebCornell
University Department of Natural
ResourcesAnswers.comWisconsin Center for
Environmental EducationWikipediaKid Explorers
Video ClipsPartners In Rhyme
Project Resource List