The experiments in this topic fall under eight topics that relate to two aspects of life science: 

1. Interactions within Ecosystems in the
2. Environment, and Plants for Food and Fibre 

In each lesson, you will find teacher notes designed to provide you guidance with the learning intention, the success criteria, materials needed, a lesson outline, as well as provide some insight on what results to expect when the experiments are conducted. 

Suggestions differentiations are also included so that all students can be successful in the learning environment. 

The activities in this module have two intentions: to teach concepts related to life science and to provide students the opportunity to apply necessary skills needed for mastery of science and technology curriculum objectives. 

Throughout the experiments, the scientific method is used. The scientific method is an investigative process which follows five steps to guide students to discover if evidence supports a hypothesis. 

LESSONS 

Lesson 1 - Ecosystem and Biomes

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the characteristics of an ecosystem and the major biomes of the world. 

Success Criteria:

• define the meaning of ecosystem and identify specific examples of ecosystems
• recognize an ecosystem, determine what makes it an ecosystem
• identify some common characteristics of ecosystems
• identify and describe the major biomes of the Earth
• research a biome to determine its location(s), its climate, vegetation, animals home to it
• research and report three interesting facts about a chosen biome 

Lesson 2 - Ecosystem at Work

Learning Intention: Students will learn about biotic and abiotic components and how they interact within ecosystems. 

Success Criteria:

• define the meaning of biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem
• recognize the biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem
• describe how biotic and abiotic components interact within an ecosystem
• conduct a field study to discover an ecosystem, determine how the components interact
• record observations and conclusions about the components in an ecosystem using diagrams and written descriptions 

Lesson 3 - Roles in the Natural World

Learning Intention: Students will learn about different roles in food chains, and about the balance plants and animals provide in the world’s ecosystems. 

Success Criteria:

• identify some producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers
• create a composter filled with organic matter
• recognize the role of worms in creating rich soil for plants
• explain the uses and importance of compost to our environment and food chains
• recognize and explain the connection between photosynthesis and the carbon cycle
• conduct an experiment to determine the presence of carbon dioxide
• determine ‘true facts’ and ‘false facts’ about living things in the natural world 

Lesson 4 - Food Chains and Webs

Learning Intention: Students will learn about and build food chains and food webs consisting of different living things. 

Success Criteria:

• describe the connection of living things, beginning with the sun
• create food chains using pictures and written descriptions
• create a food web using pictures and written descriptions
• identify biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem, explain their interdependence
• determine the producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and decomposers existing within a particular ecosystem
• create a food web to illustrate how animals live in balance with one another in an ecosystem
• record factors that could affect the balance of nature in an ecosystem 

Lesson 5 - Ecological Succession

Learning Intention: Students will learn about primary and secondary succession; how to create an ecosystem that is able to sustain and grow. 

Success Criteria:

• create a terrarium for an ever-changing ecosystem to exist in
• document changes in the terrarium over time, using diagrams and written descriptions
• explain how the water cycle works to provide moisture for soils and plants
• describe primary and secondary succession, giving examples of its occurrence
• research and record examples of how animals/insects impact succession 

Lesson 6 - Human Actions and Technology

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the impact human actions and technologies have on ecosystems in the environment, and the organizations that are working to make a difference. 

Success Criteria:

• identify human actions that alter balances and interactions in the environment
• identify the technologies that alter balances and interactions in the environment
• determine if human activities or technology is having a positive or negative impact
• create two dioramas that respectively depict the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of human and/ or technological interference
• recognize the costs and benefits of human and technological involvement
• research, record, and share information about an ecosystem that is being affected by human activity or technology
• research, record and share information about an organization that works toward ecological sustainability
• create a pamphlet to inform the public about the efforts of the organization 

Lesson 7 - Plant At the Roof of it

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the importance of plants in our daily lives and the links between technologies, products, and impacts. 

Success Criteria:

• identify the uses of plants in our daily lives
• participate in a food chain game
• describe how pesticide use can affect food chains
• define bioaccumulation and biomagnification, describing its effects on ecosystems
• describe how land use is changing and the effects of this on ecosystems
• research and describe a method used by farmers to increase crop yields 

Lesson 8 - Soils and Plant Growth (Print and PowerPoint)

Learning Intention: Students will learn about the components in soils, their compaction and moisture content; they will learn about the main parts of a plant, seed germination, and how plants grow to maturity. 

Success Criteria:

• make and record observations of the components of different soil types
• investigate the compaction and moisture content of different soils
• make a conclusion about the components and characteristics of soils
• determine the materials or technologies that can enhance soils
• describe the function of the roots, stem, leaves, and flowers on a plant
• examine and identify plant roots as either tap or fibrous
• observe and illustrate the germination process of a bean seed
• track and graph the growth of a bean plant
• describe life cycle of seed plants
• research and describe how seeds germinate and grow to maturity in the natural world
• research and describe techniques used in the farming industry to germinate and grow plants in mass quantities
• identify working parts of a microscope and view prepared slides under a microscope

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