Key Questions and

Learning Objectives

Classroom Activities

Learning experiences and content

What is an ecosystem?

What are the components of an ecosystem?

What is a nutrient cycle?

What is a food chain?

§         Define ‘ecosystem’. Display jars showing various components. 

§         Pupils to put components into two common categories.  Discuss biotic and abiotic elements.  Refer to p.42 – 43. Do questions p.43 1-3, referring to OHT ECO 1

§         Ask what they already know from Science. Base discussion around simple nutrient cycle OHT ECO2. Discuss food chains and webs. Could also do qns 1-6 p.45.

§         Do worksheet ECO3 – Matching descriptions with letters. Version available for lower attainers ECO3a.

§         HW: Create flashcards for key vocabulary on ECO4 list/OHT or create a word bank.  

What are the characteristics of a deciduous woodland ecosystem environment?

§         Pupil investigation in LRC – use of  books, magazines and Internet/ICT.

§         Pupils to complete sheet with characteristics

§         HW: Collect a jar of soil to bring in for the following lesson. Must have organic debris in as well as soil!

What is soil?

What is a soil profile?

§         Add water to jars of soil and leave to settle.

§         Show OHT ECO? of soil profile and Q&A as to what soil is and how it is formed.

§         Draw soil profile diagrams. Compare to resultant layers in individual soil jars.

§         Describe and explain how soil is formed.

§         Why is soil an important part of an ecosystem? Can refer to flashcards/word bank.

How does the soil, vegetation and climate differ between a woodland site and an open grassland site?

How has this area been managed?

1 lesson: Introduction to fieldwork. Demonstration of how to conduct data collection methods (field sketches of the two sites if possible).

2 lessons: Fieldwork – one lesson collecting data at each site.

1 lesson: ICT data presentation/write-up

2 lessons: classroom-based write-up.

NB: Not to go beyond half-term.

KS3 Assessment:  Fieldwork assignment.