# data[].attributes.body
Students will be able to conduct a habitat study; research and investigate the adaptation, competition and interdependence of organisms within specific habitats and communities.

# data[].attributes.body
I am incorporating these key skills into my planning as I think they are really important and students will get numerous occasions to get the chance to develop them in engaging and relatable ways and in this LO.

# data[].attributes.body
BW 8- I have selected this LO as when students are investigating habitats and the different organisms that live there, they will in turn learn about how matter and energy are transferred from one organism to another within an ecosystem.

# data[].attributes.body
NoS 8- This LO links to my current one as I plan on working on my students key skills such as communication and being literate and I plan to do that through 'evaluating media-based arguments'.

# data[].attributes.body
This peer reviewed paper discusses the importance of desirable difficulty when wanting to enhance inquiry. I have used to in my classroom when trying to improve this key skill in my students and have found that although it was a great struggle at the start, after being used again in numerous classes, there was an improvement in students capability to analyse data more independently.

# data[].attributes.body
This is an environmental report card that students have to complete and will make them see the value in their actions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How are you and your family doing in planet school?

KEC Kids get report cards all the time. Report cards help you know how well you are doing learning a particular subject. Unless you are different from other students, you would like to see straight A's on every report card you get.

You can grade the way you, your family, your school and your community treat the environment. Do they get straight A's? If you want to find out, use the checklist below to rate how well they do.

For more information on the topics listed in the Report Card, look under Your Environment in this web site.

This report card can be used to grade homes, offices, religious institutions, schools and other places. It can be copied and distributed.

If you answer "yes" to fewer than 25 questions, it is time to do some work, you have the power to change! If you answer "yes" to more than 40 question, you pass with flying colors. If you answer "yes" to all the questions, you are a real KEC star!!! And you should let us know about it, too!
Your Grade Is: 51 to 54 "Yeses" -KEC Hero! 41 to 50 "Yeses" -KEC Star! 31 to 40 "yeses" - You are on your way-keep trying! 25 to 30 "yeses" - Your need to take environmental action now! 24 or fewer 'yeses' - You have work to do!
The Kids Ecology Corps at Snyder Park

The Kids Ecology Corps is a program of Partners in Action, Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1981, providing educational, cultural and leadership experience to young people encouraging immediate, positive, environmental action. And, continuous, determined action is making Environmental Harmony an idea whose time has come.
Copyright © 2010 The Kids Ecology Corps All rights reserved. | Sitemap | Legal | A PaperStreet Web Design | Files Login | Board Member Login

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Environmental Report Cards | Kids Ecology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How are you and your family doing in planet school? KEC Kids get report cards all the time. Report cards help you know how well you are doing learning a particular subject. Unless you are different from other students, you would like to see straight A's on every report card you get.

# data[].attributes.body
This would be a good starter activity to introduce the students to the workings of ecology and get them motivated for this LO.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some types of trash will break down into small particles and turn into soil. This type of trash is biodegradable. Other types of trash will not break down and will remain on our Earth for thousands of years. In this activity, you will discover which types of trash are biodegradable.

Vocabulary

Biodegradable - something that breaks down naturally and turns into soil

You will need

A tool to dig with.

4 flat sticks you can write on; popsicle sticks will be okay.

A marker.

A pear or apple core

A leaf from a green leafy vegetable like spinach or lettuce

A piece of plastic packaging; a plastic bag will do just fine

A piece of styrofoam

A calendar

Time - Set up: 15 min

Activity: One month to measure results.

Here's what you do:

Use the marker to write the names of the four pieces of trash on the flat sticks.

Take the sticks, the tool you are going to dig with and the four pieces of trash outside into your backyard or schoolyard. Find a spot to dig a few holes. Try to find a spot that has warm, moist soil. Warm, moist soils breaks down biodegradable trash faster. Be sure to ask your parents or teachers if it's okay to dig there.

Dig four holes that are wide and deep enough to put something in

Put each of the four pieces of trash in a separate hole. The fruit core goes in one hole; the vegetable leaf in the second hole; the plastic packaging in the third hole; the styrofoam in the last hole.

Fill the holes back up with dirt.

Mark each hole with the stick that matches what you buried in the hole.

Mark the date you buried the four pieces of trash on the calendar; mark a day a month later to go back and dig them up.

On the date marked, go back and dig up the four pieces of trash.

Questions to Answer

Did you find all the pieces of trash?

Which pieces were gone or almost all gone?

Which pieces of trash were still there?

Which types of trash are biodegradable?

Which types are not biodegradable?

Which kinds of trash are better for the Earth?

How can we change what we do with packaging and trash to make things better for the Earth?

Extension - What is composting and how can composting reduce the trash we create?

Books

The Kids Ecology Corps at Snyder Park

The Kids Ecology Corps is a program of Partners in Action, Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1981, providing educational, cultural and leadership experience to young people encouraging immediate, positive, environmental action. And, continuous, determined action is making Environmental Harmony an idea whose time has come.
Copyright © 2010 The Kids Ecology Corps All rights reserved. | Sitemap | Legal | A PaperStreet Web Design | Files Login | Board Member Login

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How and What Does Nature Recycle Naturally? | Kids Ecology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some types of trash will break down into small particles and turn into soil. This type of trash is biodegradable. Other types of trash will not break down and will remain on our Earth for thousands of years. In this activity, you will discover which types of trash are biodegradable.

# data[].attributes.body
This argumentation exercise will work on students key skills while broadening their knowledge on the topic which also relates to this particular LO.

# data[].attributes.body
A worksheet that could be used to aid students in conducting their investigation on a habitat.

# data[].attributes.body
An excellent video showing very realistically how animals depend on each other for survival.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animal Partnerships | David Attenborough | BBC Studios

# data[].attributes.body
A very clear and descriptive video showing organisms and how they compete for a mate.

# data[].attributes.body
Unit of learning for that incorporates this specific learning outcome.

# data[].attributes.body
NoS 3- I have also selected this LO as when students get to practically apply all they've been researching about, they will be planning and conducting investigations and will have to make sure that a selection of suitable equipment have been considered.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a lesson plan for this unit.

# data[].attributes.body
Reflection

# data[].attributes.body
This online model will show students how once a resource is over-exploited due to competition, the production of it will inevitably decrease.

# data[].attributes.body
An online interactive model that could be used to allow students to estimate population size.

# data[].attributes.body
Quick revision on the introduction to ecology for teachers before starting this LO