This unit investigates how plants use photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Students will learn how food and environment affect survival as well as engaging in scientific experiences to answer questions.
Embedded Files
Decorah Eagle Live Cam
Decorah Eagle Live Cam
This live cam actually has a lesson attached to it (Raptor Resource Project Lesson Plans). The live cam shows a Bald Eagle’s nest, Bald Eagles, and the food that they prey on within their nest. This live cam and the accompanying resources are a great way to discuss the animals that Eagles prey on and how energy flows through an ecosystem. Watch closely to see what organisms the eagles bring back to the nest as well as observe the 'nesting process' of eagles (sticks and soft materials are brought to the nest to create a soft blanket for the eggs).
This live cam is a perfect resource to discuss the following concepts: Ecosystems, consumers, predation, habitat, food chain, and energy flow. The Eagle is a consumer living in high trees in forest areas. To receive their energy, eagles prey on fish, squirrels, small birds, opossums and whatever they can lay their claws on. This can lead into a discussion of energy flow within ecosystems.
Lesson Plan Alert:
Lesson Plan Alert:
As mentioned above, the Decorah Eagle live cam has a lesson plan connected to it. This lesson plan can be found at the Raptor Research Project website. The title of this lesson is "What's on the Menu?" (see below). This lesson plan aligns with the following fifth grade science standards: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, and 5-LS2-1. It also aligns with the following fifth grade writing standards: W.5.2.A, W.5.2.D, and W.5.2.E.
As mentioned above, the Decorah Eagle live cam has a lesson plan connected to it. This lesson plan can be found at the Raptor Research Project website. The title of this lesson is "What's on the Menu?" (see below). This lesson plan aligns with the following fifth grade science standards: 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, and 5-LS2-1. It also aligns with the following fifth grade writing standards: W.5.2.A, W.5.2.D, and W.5.2.E.
Students will use the Decorah Eagle live cam to watch how eagles interact with one another as well as the types of organisms that eagles prey on. For my classroom, I would use the webcam as a resource to engage my students and have them ask questions based on what they see. This process will provide me with the opportunity to assess what my students know and what they need to know. Using the PowerPoint provided by the Raptor Research Project lesson plan, I will show pictures of the eagle's nest in Iowa. Students can ask questions about what they wonder and/or make observations about the nest. Students may make connections between the location of the nest and the types of food eagles consume. Students will research the typical diet of an eagle as well as explore the North Nest Eagle blog.
Students will use the Decorah Eagle live cam to watch how eagles interact with one another as well as the types of organisms that eagles prey on. For my classroom, I would use the webcam as a resource to engage my students and have them ask questions based on what they see. This process will provide me with the opportunity to assess what my students know and what they need to know. Using the PowerPoint provided by the Raptor Research Project lesson plan, I will show pictures of the eagle's nest in Iowa. Students can ask questions about what they wonder and/or make observations about the nest. Students may make connections between the location of the nest and the types of food eagles consume. Students will research the typical diet of an eagle as well as explore the North Nest Eagle blog.
Then, students can identify the organisms that the eagle preys on for food and construct two different food chains based off of this information (students may need to research more about the prey that eagles consume to get a full understanding of what these organisms may prey on). Using the food chains, students will describe and explain how energy flows through this ecosystem.
Then, students can identify the organisms that the eagle preys on for food and construct two different food chains based off of this information (students may need to research more about the prey that eagles consume to get a full understanding of what these organisms may prey on). Using the food chains, students will describe and explain how energy flows through this ecosystem.
The eagle cam may remind students of a type of bird that they see a lot in their communities--hawks. This may lead to questions and discussions about the differences between the birds (another lesson will need to be dedicated to comparing and contrasting these two types of raptors).
The eagle cam may remind students of a type of bird that they see a lot in their communities--hawks. This may lead to questions and discussions about the differences between the birds (another lesson will need to be dedicated to comparing and contrasting these two types of raptors).
Whats On The Menu.pdfTau Waterhole
Tau Waterhole
This live cam has a lesson attached to it already which is an added bonus for implementing this live cam in the classroom. The live cam shows elephants grazing by a waterhole. In addition, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo can also be spotted in the cam. I love that there are so many animals within this live cam as it can relate to numerous science topics!
The Tembe Elephant Park Live Cam is a great resource to discuss the following concepts: Population, ecological organization, ecosystems, habitat and niche, and food chain. The elephants shown in the live cam is a specific population. When the lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo come into view on the cam, students can see how there are many populations interacting in the grassland to form a community. This, then, can lead to the discussion of ecosystems (all biotic and abiotic factors living in the grassland habitat) and food chains.
Understanding Ecosystems for Kids
Understanding Ecosystems for Kids
This video is perfect to help my students understand what an ecosystem is and how the organisms interact with one another. Key vocabulary terms include: Ecosystems, producers, consumers, decomposers, omnivores, carnivores, and herbivores.
Abiotic vs Biotic Factors
Abiotic vs Biotic Factors
Abiotic and biotic factors can be challenging for students to understand; however, this video provides specific visuals and explanations that make these vocabulary terms easy to remember. Use this video when discussing abiotic and biotic factors!
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
This video dives into the specific parts of a plant that contribute to photosynthesis (e,g. xylem, phloem, stomata, chloroplast)
Tropism Song
Tropism Song
This fun song will have your students singing along and learning about tropisms.
Plant Tropism
Plant Tropism
This video reviews phototropism, thigmotropism, and gravitropism by providing specific examples and visuals.
Stop Motion Studio Videos
Stop Motion Studio Videos
Watch my two Stop Motion Studio videos below. One video shows the progression of growth for a radish and the other video shows the progression of growth for a bean. As you watch the videos, observe the external structures of these plants. How might these external structures interact with the internal structures of the plant? What do you think plants need in order to grow and survive?
Watch my two Stop Motion Studio videos below. One video shows the progression of growth for a radish and the other video shows the progression of growth for a bean. As you watch the videos, observe the external structures of these plants. How might these external structures interact with the internal structures of the plant? What do you think plants need in order to grow and survive?
**These videos aligns with 5-LS1-1: Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.**
IMG_9307.movRadishes
Radishes
IMG_9306.movBeans
Beans
Page updated
Report abuse