Lesson Plan: Exploring Life Processes and Environmental Factors in Ecosystems

Teacher's Guide

Year Group:

• Year 6 students

Subject:

• Science

Duration:

• 30 minutes

Class Size:

• 3 students

Curriculum Area:

• Science, Level 3 and 4, Living World Strand

Lesson Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain the key structural features and functions of plants, animals, and micro-organisms.
2. Investigate how environmental factors affect the life processes of these organisms.
3. Understand and articulate the interdependence between organisms and their environment.

Links to New Zealand Curriculum:

• New Zealand Curriculum Online: Science

Resources Needed:

• Microscopes or magnifying glasses
• Slides of plant cells, animal cells, and micro-organisms
• Worksheets detailing the parts of cells and organisms
• Chart or flashcards depicting various environmental factors (e.g., temperature, water availability, sunlight)
• Interactive whiteboard or projector for presentations
• Access to an outdoor area or prepared samples from different environments

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage students with a question: "What do you think will happen to a plant if it doesn't have enough sunlight?"
• Briefly outline the lesson objectives: Review the major structural components of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and explore how environmental factors influence their life processes.

Exploration (10 minutes)

• Activity 1: Microscopic Exploration
  • Split students into pairs and provide each pair with a microscope or magnifying glass.
  • Students examine slides of plant cells, animal cells, and micro-organisms, identifying and noting features such as cell walls, chloroplasts, and nuclei on their worksheets.
  • Teacher circulates to guide observations and answer questions.

Discussion (5 minutes)

• Recap key findings:
  • Discuss as a class what was observed in the microscopic exploration.
  • Link observed structures to their functions (e.g., chloroplasts and photosynthesis in plants).

Investigation (10 minutes)

• Activity 2: Environmental Impact Role-play
  • Use chart or flashcards to introduce different environmental factors.
  • Students role-play various scenarios where they imagine how different factors like drought or excessive heat might affect an organism’s health and functioning.
  • Encourage students to think about adaptive strategies or responses organisms might have to these stresses.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Recap the class learnings:
  • Recap how environmental factors impact life processes.
  • Discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced environment for the health of ecosystems.
• Assess understanding through targeted questions:
  • "Can someone give an example of how a micro-organism might react to a sudden change in its environment?"

Follow-Up Activities:

• Encourage students to observe plants, animals, or any visible micro-organisms in their home environment and report back on any interesting behaviors or conditions they notice.

Additional Resources:

• Science Learning Hub: New Zealand Ecosystems

Assessment:

• Observation of student engagement and contributions during activities.
• Review worksheets for accuracy and completeness in identifying structural features and describing their functions.