Oct. 14 Pine Forest Ecology

Did you know that Millstone 4-H Camp is located in one of the most beautifully restored Longleaf Pine forests in the south eastern US? Did you also know that Longleaf Pine forests are home to many rare plant and animal species? In this session, students will explore this unique pine forest ecosystem along with the help of a wildlife expert at Millstone 4-H Camp. Students will explore how and why the Longleaf Pine declined in the 20th century and how restoring these important trees helps many different species. Learn more about animals of the Longleaf Pine Forest ecosystem and connections to Indigenous Cultures in North Carolina.

Required Materials: This program will use the youth game app Kahoot!

Optional Materials: Download and print the Pine Forest Ecology Discussion & Learning Guide for students to use as they follow along; Parents/Guardians/Teachers can use the Pine Forest Ecology Answer Key to check the student's work.

Tech Requirements: Hosted on Zoom; this session will use Kahoot!

Recording: Pine Forest Ecology Zoom Recording

Play the Pine Forests Kahoot!

Pine Forests Prezi

Use this link to print a pdf of the vocabulary, learning concepts and standards alignment.

Key Vocabulary & Learning Concepts

Longleaf Pine Forest fire Fire suppression Germination

Ecosystem Seed Habitat Soil type

Plant identification Life cycle

This session aligns with the following NC teaching standards for grades 2 through 7

Second Grade

Science 2.L.1 Understand animal life cycles

Science 2.L.2 Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism

Language Arts L.2.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and context, choosing flexibility from an array of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Third Grade

Science 3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their environments

Language Arts SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally

Language Arts L.3.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.3.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships

Fourth Grade

Science 4.L.1 Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats

Science 4.E.2.3 Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes

Language Arts RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears

Language Arts RI.4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area

Language Arts RF.4.4 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words

Language Arts L.4.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.4.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being and that are basic to a particular topic

Fifth Grade

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

Language Arts RI.5.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area

Sixth Grade

Science 6.L.1 Understand the structures, processes and behaviors of plants that enable them to survive and reproduce

Science 6.L.2 Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of population to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment

Language Arts RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text; analyze the impact of specific word choice on meaning

Language Arts SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study

Language Arts L.6.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression

Seventh Grade

Science 7.L.1 Understand the processes, structures and functions of living organisms that enable them to survive, reproduce and carry out the basic functions of life

Language Arts L.7.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.7.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression