Lesson Plan Spencer Tyler Pudge Rotting Log Ecosystem

Lesson Plan Spencer, Tyler, Pudge

Rotting Log Ecosystem Lesson Plan (Two day/two part lesson) • Standards • Observing and Sensing as students explore the log using their senses. – L. LO. 00. 11, L. LO. 00. 12, S. IP. 00. 11 -15, S. IA. 00. 1214, S. RS. 0011 • Living and non-living ecosystems and adaptations as students view the miniature ecosystem of the rotting log. – L. LO. 00. 11 -12, S. IP. 00. 11 -15, S. IA. 00. 12 -14, S. RS. 0011 • Life cycles as students see how the log is a valuable stage in the life cycle of a tree. – L. OL. 01. 13, L. OL. 01. 21, S. IP. 01. 11 -15, S. IA. 01. 12 -14, S. RS. 01. 11 -12, L. HE. 01. 11 -12 • Habitats: animals as students record what animals and insects they find. – L. OL. 01. 13, L. OL. 01. 21, E. ES. 01. 11 -12, S. IP. 01. 11 -15, S. IA. 01. 12 -14, S. RS. 01. 11 -12

Rotting Log Ecosystem Lesson Plan • Audience: Grade level 3 • Auditory learners will benefit from class discussion about ecosystems and nature. • Visual learners will benefit from seeing the mini-ecosystem provided by the teacher. • Kinesthetic learners will benefit from interacting with the mini-ecosystem and their fellow students.

Day One: Sharing an informational book about rotting logs Materials needed: A Log’s Life by Wendy Pfeffer My favorite animal worksheet Objectives: Students will engage in finding facts through researching an informational book and websites and then present their findings to their peers. • Students will see how an ecosystem thrives and the benefits of biodiversity. • • •

Day Two: Exploring a rotten log in the wild Materials needed: Decomposers and detritivores handout Species found worksheet Is there life in a decomposing log? worksheet Plan a trip to wooded area where you can find a rotten log Objectives: Students will work together in small groups and explore the log using their senses (hear, see, smell, taste (not really), and touch for five minutes. • Students will spend twenty minutes recording data on a chart of the bugs and insects they find. • Students will infer what other animals might use the fallen log as a resource in the wild during a ten minute class discussion. • Students will take ten minutes and conclude how plants and insects are dependent upon the log and each other through reflective writing. • •

Day Two: Exploring a rotten log in the wild • Modeling – Show the students where to look for a log and the types of organisms they should be looking for. Review safety procedures and ensure the students are following guidelines. • Guided Practice – Once you have found some rotten logs to explore, show the students how to carefully lift the bark and how to explore. Show them what kind of organisms they should be looking for. Review with them how to properly fill out the worksheets.

Day Two: Exploring a rotten log in the wild Teacher Hints: • Explain that rotting log dwellers can be divided into three categories: those who live or use the outside of the bark, those who live under the bark and those who live in the bark. • On the bark: • Safe perch for chipmunks and squirrels • Lookout for predators such as a weasel • Reptile rest spot and feeding station • Insect home for beetles, ants, and flies • Hunting ground for insect eaters • Home for mosses, ferns, fungi • Starting place for seedlings • Under the bark: • Home for insects (such as beetles) and sow bugs • Home for centipedes and millipedes • Inside the log: • Home for small, furry animals, such as mice and shrews • Amphibian home for toads and salamanders

Day Two: Exploring a rotten log in the wild • Independent Practice – Students will work in small groups and help each other to fill out the worksheets. Students will spend approximately twenty to thirty minutes exploring their rotten logs and recording the data. Monitor students while they are working to ensure they are discussing proper terms and staying on tasks. Once they have completed the worksheets we will have a discussion to share what organisms everyone found. • Summative Assessment: – Students will be assessed on how well they completed the worksheets and their participation during log exploration and concluding discussion. Students should have the majority of their sheets filled out. During the discussion, ask students which of their senses they used when exploring the rotten log.

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