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LIFE SCIENCE
Dear Parents, We are starting a new, exciting unit in our class! Over the next 3 weeks, your child will be learning about living things and ecosystemsspecifically, the interdependence of members of an ecosystem. We will learn what makes something living or non-living, what living things need to survive, and how living things in an ecosystem depend on each other for survival. To kick this unit off, we will be going on a field trip to Camp Bayou! We will be creating a science notebook to record our learning, and the students demonstrate their learning with a presentation at the end of the unit. The presentation is called Park Ranger for a Day. Students will take on the role of park ranger and teach children on a field trip about their parks ecosystem, members of the ecosystem, and how these members depend on each other to live. Students will compile the components of the project as they complete individual and group assignments throughout the unit. Time will be given during class for students to work on their projects, but students who need more time will need to work on them at home. Students will be given clear directions and a checklist by which the projects will be assessed. I will meet with students periodically to gauge their progress and offer individualized guidance, including a prepresentation conference to ensure students are meeting the requirements for their projects. How you can help:

Read the attached learning objectives, essential question, and criteria for the Park Ranger for a Day project. Look over your childs science notebook (it will be sent home every Friday) Ask your child questions to engage them in discussions about what they are learning

Volunteer in or out of the classroom! We would love your assistance and participation in this and all of our learning adventures! Please let me know if you are interested.

You may check out our class website (wolfendenwonderers.com) for updates. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Sincerely,

Mrs. Wolfenden

lwolfenden@mail.usf.edu * 813-555-1212 x 111

Interdependent Relationships in

ECOSYSTEMS

What do living things need to survive and how do many different plants and animals in an environment depend on each other for survival?

You are going to be a

PARK RANGER FOR A DAY

A second grade class is coming to your park for a field trip. It is your job to teach these students about your park. You will create a presentation about your park, including its ecosystem, some plants and animals that are part of that ecosystem, and how these plants and animals depend upon each other to survive. Remember, these children are on a field trip , so make it fun!

You are a park ranger teaching a group of students about your park.

A group of second grade students is on a field trip to your park.

You will explain to students that ecosystems are made up of plants and animals in an environment, and they rely on each other to live. You will create a food chain from your ecosystem. You will explain how the loss of one member of the ecosystem would affect the others. You will need to make at least one visual aid to show this interdependency among living things.

Describe to students on a field trip the ecosystem they are visiting, the living and non-living members of the ecosystem, how the living members in an ecosystem depend upon each other for survival, and explain what would happen if one member were to be taken away from that ecosystem.

PARK RANGER
Project Planner
Choose an Ecosystem: Estuary Forest Desert List at least 3 physical characteristics of your ecosystem:

List 3 members of your ecosystem:

Create a Food Chain (hint: use your list above):

Make your visual aid. Choose from the list of possibilities below, or make your own (please talk to me about it first): Brochure or Poster to encourage people to visit your park by describing the parks ecosystem Demonstrationuse props to show what would happen to the other members of the ecosystem if one member was gone Diagramof one of the members of your ecosystem in its habitat with labels and needs for survival Meet with Mrs. Wolfenden to talk about your project. Practice your presentation with a friend!

PARK RANGER
Project Checklist
Give 3 details about the environment of the ecosystem. Name at least 3 living members of the ecosystem. Explain how these members depend on each other to live. Explain what would happen if one member of the ecosystem was taken away. Demonstrate or show a food chain or food web. Include at least one visual aid (chart, brochure, poster, etc.) Use your best spelling and make your work neat.

*Each box is worth 10 points, for a total of 70 possible points

PARK RANGER
How I Did!
Did you complete all the tasks for the presentation?
I gave a detailed description of my parks ecosystem. I included a description of the environment. I named at least three living members of this ecosystem. I explained how these members depend on each other to live. I explained what would happen if one member of the ecosystem was taken away. I demonstrated a food chain or food web. I included at least one visual aid I checked my spelling and all of my work is neat.

What do you feel was the best part of your presentation? Why?

If you could do your presentation over again, would you change anything? What and why?

PARK RANGER
Friends Presentation
Dear _______________________,

I watched your presentation today and really liked that you

I learned that

Thank you for sharing!

Your Friend,

PARK RANGER FOR A DAY RUBRIC ( For teacher and parents)

Ecosystems Environment 10 pts = The student gave 3 accurate details 5 - 9pts = The student provided 1 2 details, or the details were not completely accurate 0 pts = No attempt was made to include details

Living Members in the Ecosystem 10 pts = The student gave 3 living members in the ecosystem 5 - 9pts = The student provided 1-2 living members 0 pts = No attempt was made to list living members of the ecosystem

Explain how these members depend on each other to live. 10 pts = The student demonstrated clear understanding that members of an ecosystem rely on each other for survival by making direct connections. 5 - 9 pts = The student demonstrated some understanding, but may not have made direct connections among the members of the ecosystem. 0 pts = No attempt was made to explain how members of an ecosystem rely on each other.

Explain what would happen if one member of the ecosystem was taken away. 10 pts = The student demonstrated a clear understanding of how the loss of one member of an ecosystem would affect the others using a specific example, such as loss of food source.

5 - 9 pts = The student demonstrated some understanding, but may not have made direct connections among the members of the ecosystem.
0 pts = No attempt was made to explain how the loss of one member would affect others.

Demonstrate or show a food chain or food web. 10 pts = The student accurately demonstrated a food chain or web from their ecosystem. 5 - 9pts = The student demonstrated a food chain or web, but it may not have been accurate. 0 pts = No attempt was made to include a food chain or web.

Include at least one visual aid (chart, brochure, poster, etc.)

10 pts = The student included an accurate visual aid. 5-9 pts = The student included a visual aid, but it had some errors. 0 pts = The student did not include a visual aid

Use your best spelling and make your work neat.

10 pts = The students work is neat and free of spelling errors (students level) 5 - 9 pts = The student has a few spelling errors and/or a few issues with neatness (students level) 0 pts = The student made no attempt to complete the project. Total Points Earned: