Drawing on an Ecosystem Project
Standard: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Ecology
Essential Question: How do living things interact with each other and the non-living
parts of the environment here at Menomonie Middle School?
Directions:
1. As a class, we will travel outdoors to explore and observe our surroundings.
2. While outside, take DETAILED notes of what you observe. These
observations could include what the ground looks like (soil, rocks,
dead/decaying things), plant life, any animals you see, as well as any
interactions you observe. Your project will be based on these observations, so
make sure you are specific in your notes/
3. Upon return to the classroom, you will create a project representing the woods
ecosystem surrounding Menomonie Middle School. The options for the
projects are listed below:
OPTION 1 OPTION 2
Make a detailed colored drawing of the Write a detailed observation log recording
woods. Your drawing should include living what your saw outside. Include living things
and non-living things. You must include and non-living things. You may include
scenes occurring in your drawing that things that likely live there, even if they
represent the vocabulary words listed weren’t present on our trip. Use the
below. Label your drawing with the correct vocabulary words listed below in your log.
vocabulary words. See example for help. You must define them, and give examples
from our ecosystem that support the
definition.
Vocabulary: Both options must include these vocabulary words (either defined with
examples for option 2, or drawn and labeled for option 1).
Ecology:
Ecosystem:
Predator:
Prey:
Primary Consumer:
Secondary Consumer:
Abiotic Factors:
Biotic Factors:
Community:
Population:
Scavenger;
Decomposer: