Websites -- This are a variety of websites that students can use. They range from
fun and interactive to informational if working on a project. These sites will
help students learn about ecosystems as well as their plants and animals.
Facing the Future
This is an informational website
that will give kids the facts they need to know about ecosystems. There is
text, pictures, and videos to help students grasp the material on the page.
Good for working on a project to present about ecosystems.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Ecosystems
I have used this website in my
classroom before and it is awesome!!!! It talks about ecosystems as well as
biomes and food webs. The pictures are great and the text is written in
kid friendly language. They go over all the different biomes with
their plant and animal life. I would recommend this website to any teacher!
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Kids do Ecology
This website has a variety of games
and information for students. They can learn about scientific data, biomes,
mammals, and has a variety of classroom projects students can use. This website
is fun and interactive so students will be able to play and use the information
to help students learn new concepts. This could be used as
a supplemental material or for individual time in the classroom.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
EcoKids
I first would like to say this is a
Canadian website and I think that's really funny. But it is full of
games, coloring pages, and information for students. I think it is for younger
students that may be learning a little about habitats and animals. I think it
would be great as a fun site students can use to enhance their knowledge about
ecosystems.
Ages: Grades 2 - 4
Habitats
National Geographic is always a
great site for kids. This is an informational site that has separate links to
every habitat students can learn about. They have real pictures of the habitats
with their animals and plants. Students could use this when doing a
project ... not many games here :-)
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Magic School Bus
Who doesn't love what the magic
school bus has to offer?!!! This site is a game for students so they can review
what they have learned about ecosystems. Ms. Frizzle always has a fun way of
making school fun and for students who may not be grasping the information in
books or websites , this game will help them comprehend for sure.
Ages: Grades 2 - 4
Movies and Videos -- I think ecosystems are fascinating and need to be
viewed in videos and movies. This clips are great representations of ecosystems
and give students a first hand look at what a ecosystem is made up of.
What is an Ecosystem?
This video shows students what
ecosystems are. It also discusses the different species that are in an
ecosystem and what that means. This is a short group that will help students as
an introductory or if they are talking about specific parts of
ecosystems, this video talks about that.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
How does an Ecosystem work?
Another short clip about how the
different aspects of an ecosystem wok together to help the ecosystem survive
and keep going. The images are colorful and fun and students will be able to
get a good look at all elements working together as a unit.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Grasslands Ecosystems
I thought this video would be good
because it has the Lion King in it and it will catch students attention. It
uses clips from the Lion King to explain grassland ecosystems and the problems
they are facing. I would show this to students as an example of an ecosystem or
if you are going each individual one ... this one is awesome.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
My Pond -- The Ecosystem Song
Mister C introduces students to the
ecosystem through a song. It is catchy and helpful for students to remember
certain aspects of the ecosystem. I have found that when teaching through song
students do a better job at remembering the information.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Books -- I am a big believer that books are important to
incorporate into a classroom. The books posted are kid friendly and help
students to learn about ecosystems and biomes. A great resource for read alouds
as well as another resource for students who enjoy books.
Exploring
Ecosystems with Max Axiom, Super Scientist (Graphic Science series)
Author: Agniesezka
Biskup
Having a graphic
reader is important for classrooms that have reluctant readers. This particular
book explores different ecosystems and helps students learn fun and random
facts. I think this would be great for students who need visuals and also may
not enjoy the typical book.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Many Biomes, One Earth!
Author: Sneed B. Collard III
This book discusses the 12 biomes
in the world. It has a lot of great colorful pictures and is very kid friendly.
It discusses the animals and plants in each biome and how they are working
together to make it work. A great book!
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Biomes and Ecosystems
Author: Barbara J. Davis
This book looks at connections
between living and non living things in an ecosystem that work together. There
is a lot of new vocabulary that may be hard for students but the book can help
expand students' knowledge on the topic and the illustrations are colorful and
vibrant. The book discusses many different aspects of the ecosystem including
food chains and webs.
Ages: Grades 5 - 7
Webquests -- I have come to find that Webquests may not be the
most practical way to implement a lesson in a classroom but I think
it is a great way to start getting ideas. These webquests are all hands on and
help students to design their own ecosystems!
I Spy an Ecosystem!!
Students are each given an
ecosystem to explore and recreate on their own. This webquest helps students to
use materials to create posters, diaramas, or brochures students will share
with others in the class or in the school. A great hands on activity that can
help students show their creative side!
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Ecosystem Expert!
Students will become experts (in a
group) on a biome they have chosen. They will need to find information on all
aspects of the ecosystem and then recreate it to share to the other scientist
in the classroom. I would try something like this and adapt it to help my
students get a better understanding of their ecosystem.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Magic Schoolbus and National Geographic are favorites of my students. I plan on checking out I Spy an Ecosystem!
ReplyDeleteGreat text set, Blaise! I did one on ecosystems as well and it's funny that we found different sources! Of course, some are the same, but this is why teachers should collaborate! Great job!
ReplyDelete