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5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.

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5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.

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5 .L .2 .1 Compare the characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds, forests, and grasslands.

5 .L .2 .2  Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).

5 .L .2 .3  Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.

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EX.5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.

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EX.5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.

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EX .5 .L .2 .1 Identify common ecosystems (e .g . oceans, lakes, deserts, forests, etc) .

EX .5 .L .2 .2 Identify animals and plants found in common ecosystems (e .g . ocean, forest, lake, desert, arctic) .

EX .5 .L .2 .3 Classify parts of different ecosystems as living and non-living .

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-Focus
-Explore
-Reflect
-Apply
-compare
-construct
-create
-engage
-evaluate

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What is an ecosystem?

What can challenge an ecosystem?

What roles do plants and animals play in ecosystems?

What are the differences between living (Biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things?

How can analyzing the similarities and differences between producers, consumers, and decomposers help us  better understand an ecosystem?

How do organisms depend on one another?

How do nonliving (abiotic) affect living (biotic) things?

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Loose parts are anything that can be moved, taken apart, reused, repurposed, combined cared, etcetera! Loose parts are great at enabling curiosity, creativity, and imagination. In the image above these recycled, empty, two-liter bottles can be used to make self sustaining ecosystems. (Please refer to the article "Self-Sustaining Ecosystem Project").

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Step by step instructions on how to build your own ecosystems!

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Parental Note: This experiment is geared toward ages 11 and up, to be completed independently. The project will require some adult support when cutting materials.

Experiment Overview:

Our planet is full of many different living environments. Some places on Earth are warm and tropical, full of lush plants and exotic animals, while other locations are completely covered in sand or ice. However, there is one thing that every environment has in common: a community of organisms that depend on each other for survival. Or more commonly called, an ecosystem.

The basic definition of an ecosystem is a large community of living organisms (plants, animals, insects, microbes) that are all found in one particular area/location. When you dig even deeper into the idea of an ecosystem, you learn that it is a delicately balanced community that consists of both living and non-living parts. The living environment consists of plants and animals that depend on each other to survive. The non-living materials include rocks, soil, sand, water, minerals, and air. A functioning ecosystem also depends on physical components as well (weather, air quality, water conditions) so both plants and animals can function properly and thrive in their community. Ecosystems are made up of a balance between these living, non-living and physical components. From food chains to climate factors, ecosystems are far more complex than simply a community of living organisms.

Ecosystems fall into two major categories: terrestrial (land-based ecosystem) and aquatic (water-based ecosystems). These two types of ecosystems can then be divided into even smaller classifications called biomes:

Terrestrial:

Forest

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Aquatic:
*It is important to note that a biome can contain several different ecosystems.
You may be asking the question, why are ecosystems important to humans? Since ecosystems provide animals and plants with all the materials needed to survive, they are an important part of our planet and human existence. Our shelter, food, and community come from the ecosystems (and biomes) in which we live. In this experiment, we are going to create a self-sustaining ecosystem and dig deeper into the idea of how living, non-living, and physical conditions can affect an ecosystem, as well as human life.

Experiment Materials:

Experiment Process:

Conclusions:

Congratulations on making an ecosystem with living and non-living parts. As we wrap up the experiment, let's discuss the questions posed in step nine of the experiment.

How does the plant survive?

The water, rich with nutrients from the fish, is absorbed through the string and distributed to the coffee filter and soil. The water needed for the fish is also the water used by the plant to survive.

What role does the fish play in this ecosystem?

The fish's waste (poop), decomposing fish food, and water provides key nutrients for the survival of the plant. The water that gets wicked up the string hanging down from the roots is both quenching the plant's thirst and feeding the plant key nutrients for growth.

Why does the soda bottle need to be placed in the sun?

The plant needs sunlight to grow and produce a chemical reaction called photosynthesis. Without the sun, the plant would start to turn a sickly white color and essentially stop growing.

The fish (in this case Tetra fish) also need a natural light source to 1) keep the water temperature warm 2) indicated a day/night sleeping pattern 3) help the fish to regulate food intake 4) if a fish is not given enough natural sunlight, the coloring will change to an unhealthy white as well.

What would happen if the water became contaminated?

Each element in this ecosystem must function properly for the organisms to grow and thrive, that includes both physical and environmental conditions. Clean water, proper sunlight for plant growth and clean air are all components needed for the fish to live and the plant to continue to grow. If contaminants were introduced to the ecosystem (through the polluted water or air) the delicate balance is thrown off and both the plant and animal will suffer and potentially die.

It is easy to see how intricate an ecosystem really is for both plant and animal survival. There are many factors that come into play to keep an ecosystem functioning properly. From the sun (a renewable resource) to the health of the animals living in the community, an ecosystem is not just the organisms but also the non-living and physical conditions. Think of one idea before concluding this experiment - what role do humans play in the proper functioning of an ecosystem? Do you think we are helping ecosystems around the globe or hurting them? Justify your answers with facts by researching the idea further with the help of an adult.

Extension:

What is an ecosystem?

What are the functioning parts of an ecosystem?

How can physical conditions alter an ecosystem?

How would a hurricane or other natural disasters affect an ecosystem?

How would pollutants affect an ecosystem?

What is the role of humans in an ecosystem?

Can you create an ecosystem that supports more than one type of animal?

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Self-Sustaining Ecosystem Project | Clearway Community Solar

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Parental Note: This experiment is geared toward ages 11 and up, to be completed independently. The project will require some adult support when cutting materials. Our planet is full of many different living environments. Some places on Earth are warm and tropical, full of lush plants and exotic animals, while other locations are completely covered in sand or ice.

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Collected rocks and pebbles by the teacher or students can be used as a substrate for the bottoms of the students indoor ecosystems! 

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Natural materials (can also be loose parts) are great at provoking play, creativity, curiosity, and imagination! They are free material and you can even give the kids a little bit of out door time to scavenge for rocks! Allowing children outdoor time has many benefits on its own :)

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For the classroom ecosystems the teacher will need to purchase small fish (10 cents at pet smart) for the students ecosystems.

Fish are great for the curriculum framework because they allow students to observe, analyze, and compare the differences between living and nonliving things in the 2-liter ecosystems!

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Plants will be used for the upper half of the ecosystems they can create!

Plants are also amazing for the curriculum framework because students will be able to watch them grow and change (learn about a plants basic needs).

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With scissors and markers (listed below), students can create pieces of art, designs, truly whatever they want to decorate the top part of their ecosystems!

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Not only is construction paper good for decoration, it can used and purposed for many things! Definitely a good material to have in a makers space!

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Markers are great for drawing, writing, decorating, any craft that needs a pop of color! Markers allow kids to express themselves through their works of art, and drawing is also stress relieving/relaxing for some!

Markers will be needed to decorate the construction paper that will be put on the bottles of their ecosystems.

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Students can draw their own living and nonliving things then categorize it on a student drawn Venn diagram! This is also great for the teacher because they can access how much the students have learned, and it gives students their own creative liberty on what they want to draw!

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This short 10 minute long video is perfect for explaining what an ecosystem is, what nonliving and living things are, and explains different types of ecosystems.

Overall I would say this is a great end of lesson debriefing video because it is short, simple, and displays the main concepts of the ecosystem!

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Ecosystems for Kids | Plants, Animals, & Their Environment

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Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Overview

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Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Overview

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This video would be great to have on in the background while the students build and assemble their ecosystems! As said in the title, this video explains producers, consumers, and decomposers all while giving examples!

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Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers Overview

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Play dough is great for strengthening fine motor skills, boosting creative thinking/imagination, and much more! This play dough can also be used to build living and nonliving things, fun and educational! (Please refer to "My own thinking 2" for the full overview on how play dough can be incorporated into an activity)!

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With the provided play dough, children can be put into small groups (to allow for better engagement). Students can create living or nonliving things with the dough, then have the students guess what it is, and if it's living what it needs!

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Eye spy around the classroom! The teacher can put up pictures/images of living and nonliving things. From there the students will be partnered and explained the game of eye spy. One person guessing/observing, the other person explains looks, characteristics, needs of thing in the image. This activity is great because it allows the students to get up and moving, which can increase focus and brain activity!

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Pictures, images, drawings etcetera are important to have in the classroom because emotions and visual information get processed the same! 

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Print out images of living and nonliving things

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Print out images of living and nonliving things

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Pictures also allow students to associate and connect with what they are learning! Print out pictures and images are important for the last "my own thinking routine" activity, if you want to learn more feel free to click the last tab under "My own Thinking Routine"!

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-Bitoic
-Abiotic
-Organisms
-plants
-Animals
-People
-Oceans
-Lakes
-desert
-Arctic
-Salt marshes
-Ponds
-Grasslands
-Producers
-Consumers
-Decomposers
-Effect
-Relationship
-Interdependence

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How Plants and Animals Depend On Each Other

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How Plants and Animals Depend On Each Other

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This video entertainingly sums up how plants and animals carry out different roles in the ecosystem in order to coexist!

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How Plants and Animals Depend On Each Other

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Any one of these story books would be great to read to your classroom! Not only does is appeal to visual and auditory learning styles, but it is great because these books tell educational stories! Your students can grab a comfy spot on the carpet and take a brain break while you read them a story!

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If you're studying ecosystems and habitats, these picture books can help!

First, let's start with the difference between a habitat and an ecosystem. An ecosystem includes plants and animals as well as weather and landscapes. In other words, the entire population of living things in the region like a city. The habitat refers to the animal's or organism's home environment.

Ecosystems include aquatic-marine and freshwater and terrestrial -forest, desert, grassland, and mountain. National Geographic explains a bit more about ecosystems in this article.

The five major land habitats include deciduous forest, coniferous forest, savanna, tropical rainforest, desert, and tundra. And there are water habitats as well.

Use these books to talk about the differences between habitats and ecosystems, who lives where, and so forth. (Note: I will keep adding to this list as I become aware of more wonderful picture books.)

Don't Miss:
STEM Gifts, Toys, & Books for Kids

Picture Books About Habitats and Ecosystems

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
BACKYARD GARDEN
See what's happening both above and below ground as a little girl and her grandmother work in the garden from the beginning of the spring planting season until autumn gives way to cold snow. It's an oversized book with marvelous illustrations and juicy descriptions. " Down in the dirt, water soaks deep. Roots drink it in, and a long-legged spider stilt-walks over the streams. " Beautiful!

River

Shady Streams, Slippery Salamanders by Jason Patrick Love, illustrated by Joyce Turley
RIVER
Use this excellent STEM picture book in the classroom to show how scientists in the fieldwork or to teach about ecosystems, erosion, or salamanders. Two boys who love salamanders help scientists with their research in the Appalachian Mountains. It's a good mix of dialogue, action, and description plus insets of factual information to support.

Pond

by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Bob Marstall
POND

Beautiful imagery captures the essence of a duck pond from a dog walker's perspective. " The pond, now stilled, reflections grew, // Doubling creatures old and new. " The book ends with information about a pond habitat and the birds that live there. Sounds like a lovely place to be.

by Joseph Kuefler
POND
Ernest D. discovers that his pond HAS NO BOTTOM! Excited, he begins to explore the depths that lead to another world. Good thing he's a brave explorer!

Woods & Forest

Woodland Dream s by Karen Jameson, illustrated by Marc Boutavant
WOODS
A little girl and her dog walk through the woods, saying goodnight to each of the woodland creatures. Similar poetic text structure and soothing wordplay, " Antlered swimmer / Pond-weed skimmer / Daylight's fleeting - wade ashore / Bed down in the great outdoors. " Rich, earthy illustrations give this book a warm, cozy feel.

Squeak! by Laura McGee Kvasnosky, illustrated by Kate Harvey McGee
WOODS
Not only is this book rich with onomatopoeia but it's also rich with a sense of place, in this case, an ecosystem of the woods. It's a delightful story of one morning in the life of the animals. Early, a little mouse wakes up and squeaks. His squeak sets off a chain reaction of animals waking up -like the chipmunk chittering, a trout splashing, a mouse waking, an eagle launching, a mama bear growling, a wolf pup howling, and all the noises the animals make. In a circular, very sweet ending, we return to the mouse who can't figure out why everyone is awake and snuggles back to sleep.

One Small Square: Woods by Donald M. Silver, illustrated by Patricia Wynne
WOODS
One small area at a time, observe the woodland creatures and their habitats. It's text-heavy but dense with information. You'll also find experiments, activities, a field guide, and a glossary.

by David Elliott, illustrated by Rob Dunlavey
WOODS
Playful, evocative poems capture the essence of the animals who live in the woods - like Scarlet Tanager, skunk, fisher cat, millipede, and beaver. The bobcat poem begins, " Those tufted ears, the amber eyes, that ambushed second of surprise when the bobcat leaps!" This oversized poetry book is a gorgeous celebration of nature.

Rainforest

Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
RAINFOREST
Zonia loves her rainforest home and animal friends but one day she sees a tree cut down. How will she respond to this invasion of her home? The story ends abruptly without a solution which I found unusual. Upon reflection, I suspect the author wanted to leave room for discussion. (Also available in Spanish.)

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
RAINFOREST
A child narrates what he experiences during a rainforest hike. The child notices the wildlife living up in the canopy and down below on the ground; animals like capuchin monkeys, leaf-cutter ants, sloths, and parrot snakes. Descriptive imagery plus beautiful illustrations transport readers to this verdant ecosystem. " High in the canopy, a furry dark shadow clings to a branch. "

by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Britta Teeckentrup
RAINFOREST
Go on an interactive rainforest adventure with Felix the tree frog. He's started by the noises the other animal makes but learns about the other animals (turtle, beetle, monkey, snake) some who are friendly but one who isn't - the snake. You can help scare away the snake by clapping. Then help Felix climb the tree by counting the branches he climbs. Lots of wonderful sound words like " rat-a-tat-tat" and " swish-slither ".

Desert

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
DESERT
A mother and son take a hike in a desert canyon where animals shelter from the hot sun, Overhead the kestrels glide and eagles dive, along the walls tarantulas creep and geckos scoot. The pair see a roadrunner devour rattlesnakes, a mule deer gallop away, and wildflowers blossom. When the sun fades for the day, mom, dad, and son eat supper and crawl into their tent while coyotes howl and the insects sing a desert-night lullaby. Informative while being interesting and magical.

One Small Square: Cactus Desert by Donald M. Silver, illustrated by Patricia Wynne
DESERT
Detailed, gorgeous illustrations draw your eye immediately. Look closely to find tortoises, toads, and lizards. What plants live in this ecosystem? Read about each habitat and do experiments and activities. This is another informative book in the One Small Square series that you can use to teach about ecosystems and habitats.

Hoot and Howl Across the Desert by Vassilik Tzomaka
DESERT
This oversized book explores some of the driest places on earth from the Antarctica to the Sahara with information located around each two-page spread. The unique neon folk-style illustrations aren't appealing to me personally but I can appreciate the colorfulness.

Arctic

by Naomi Howarth
ARCTIC
A charming adventure in the arctic about a seal named Magnus who is concerned about the rumbling noise he hears. He asks Hare for help - and soon all the friends are trying to figure out the noise. This will give readers an introduction to arctic animals.

Over and Under the Waves by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
OCEAN BIOME
Follow a family kayaking in the ocean. They paddle and notice what's in the sky and the ocean's surface like the whales breaching. Below them, the ocean teams with life - both plants and animals. As always, the evocative writing shares memorable details and vivid verbs. " Under the waves, leopard sharks prowl," and " Barnacles pull in their feather feet, while treefish and prawns tuck away in the rocks." Once again, Messner illuminates an ecosystem the unique over/under pattern, sharing the wonder of the world's biggest ecosystem.

by Susanna Buhrman-Deever, illustrated by Matthew Trueman
OCEAN
Learn about the biome under the Pacific Ocean where sea otters hunt for food and live in the kelp forests. .But when people hunted sea otters to extinction, it affected the other animals and the kelp. Luckily, with new rules, the otters returned and so did their undersea world.

by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Amy Hevron
TIDEPOOL
Read about the ecology within the biome of a tidepool -- and you'll want to observe a tidepool in person- I know that I do. " Sea anemones bloom on the rocks. Shrimp paddle out of the seaweed. Tubeworms poke from the sand while sea slugs slither across sponge." The tidepool teams with life, creatures, and plants, busy for a time, and waiting for the waves.

Coral Reef

On Kiki's Reefby Carol L. Malnor, illustrated by Trina L. Hunner
CORAL REEF
Follow Kiki as she hatches, swims out to sea, lives her life on a reef, and eventually lays her own eggs. A colorful underwater picture book adventure with plenty of facts mixed with adventure.

A is for Australian Reefs by Frane Lessac
A for Australian Reef, B for Biodiversity, U for Urchins, Z for Zebra seahorses, and everything in between this book explores the fascinating world of the Australian coral reefs. The pages are illustrated with colorful, beautiful illustrations. The large text shares the main idea information and smaller text gives more detailed facts.

General

Walk This Wild World: Lift the Flap by Sam Brewster
Starting with the Arctic, visit different ecosystems on each two-page spread. A simple paragraph of text introduces the ecosystem. Lift the flaps to discover animal life information pertinent to each area. For example, in the Sonoran Desert, you'll read about Pepsis wasps who sting tarantulas. In the Congo, lift the flap to see a bongo antelope and read, " Bongo antelopes tend to stay out of sight among trees. " I particularly like the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland where puffins live (I want to see one in real life so badly!). I can read how puffins make their nests in steep cliffs using seaweed, feathers, and grass. You'll journey around the world, learning as you read the eighty flaps and information from 11 ecosystems. Track your progress using the large world map at the back. Interactive and informative making this appealing to kids and parents.

by Bill Martin Jr. & Michel Sampson, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Listen to the world around you . . . the squawk of the parrots in the kapok tree in the rain forest, the weee-aaa of the eagles in the mountains, the snap of the crocodiles of the marshland. Sweet's gorgeous artwork exquisitely captures an auditory journey of animals, their habitats, and their sounds.

Extra-large pages of continents show the biomes and animals who live in each. Subsequent pages feature colorful close-up photographs of animals matched with information about the animal- where it lives, why it lives there, and what it eats. This atlas is SO colorful and well designed, any reader will be drawn to look at the photographs and read it extensively. Impressive!
You Might Also Like:
The Best (Most Beautiful) Books About Birds

Picture Books About Nocturnal Animals
Water Cycle for Kids

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Picture Books About Habitats and Ecosystems - Imagination Soup

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If you're studying ecosystems and habitats, these picture books can help! First. let's define the difference between ecosystem and habitat.

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Great for self expression, or in this case drawing ecosystems :)

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Great for jotting down notes, scribbling, writing! In this case they can be used for observing/examining the pictures and information students have learned. Also will be used for observing the changes in the plants in the "terrarium" activity listed in the experiences tab!