Our local ecosystem explorers
By: Allyson Gore
START
Lesson Summary:
The students in the classroom will become "Ecosystem Explorers" to investigate a local habitat - Local Habitates to explore: a local park, backyard, or the school playground - Students will -
- Research the plants and animals that live in that area
- Understand their specific needs
- Create a digital presentation to showcase their findings and how important the ecosystem is
About the Learners
Grade Level: 3rd Grade Subject Area: Science (integrating Socail Studies and ELA) Learner Description: Third graders are working towards developing their observational skills and their ability to connect concepts. They are very eager to learn about their environment, while also working and collaborating with thier classmates. This project will allow them to explore the world that is all around them using technology to document and share their findings.
ISTE Standard(s) for Students
Chosen Standard - 1.3.d Explore Real Word-Issues
Rationale
students build knowledge by exploring real-world issues and gain experience in applying their learning in authentic ways.
Students will use technology; online research tools, camera on a phone/tablet, possibly a simple drawing app to gather information and then use this app (Genially) to present their individual understandings of the ecosystem. This lesson aligns directly with the use of technology by showcasing the students learning and interpreting their own and other classmates results.
Mississippi Standards
Chosen Standard: L.3.2 Students will demonstrate an understanding that through reproduction, the survivaland physical features of plants and animals are inherited traits from parent organisms but can also be influenced by the environment.
Rationale: This standard directly aligns with the investigation of local environments and identifying the many different needs of both plants and animals. Students will work to gather evidence about the things their chosen ecosystem provides.
Materials and Technologies
Teacher MAterials
Student MAterials
- Computer - internet access is required
- Projecter (for presentations) or a white board
- A list of local, safe, and accessible habitats that the students can explore
- Picture or short video of local plants and animals for examples
- Guidance for using technology/online resources
- Presentation templates or examples
- Tablet/Computer - pone per student OR assign partners
- Internet access is required
- Presentation app - Genially
- Notebook/Pencil for observations
- Camera function on tablet or computer (used to document observations)
- Access to age appropriate online resources for research (with teachers guidance)
Nine elements of project-based learning
Anchor: This is a "Mystery Habitat Reveal" to spark curiosity about the environment and living things needs. Task: Students will create a "Local Ecosystems Guide" presentation to identify local plants and animals, researching different thinggs like their survival needs. Directions: 1. Chose a local habitat to explore 2. identify the plants/animals living there 3. research what they need to survive 4. Create a digital guide (presentation) of your findings to show the class Student Choices: The local habitat, Plants and Animals, and Visuals Student Inquiry: What lives in our local park, backyard, or playground? What do they eat? Collaboration and teamwork: Share their findings, brainstorm more examples, help each other build their presentations Teacher Coaching and Feedback: Teacher will help with students research while also checking for their understanding of the plants/animals/ they are researching. Student Reflection: Students will think about the different things they learned or the things that they thought were the coolest. Public Presentation: Students will share their Genially PResentations with the class, parents, or other classes to explain their chosen habitat.
Grading Ruberic
Students can earn up to 28 points total.
Our local ecosystem explorers
Allyson Gore
Created on October 26, 2025
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Transcript
Our local ecosystem explorers
By: Allyson Gore
START
Lesson Summary:
The students in the classroom will become "Ecosystem Explorers" to investigate a local habitat - Local Habitates to explore: a local park, backyard, or the school playground - Students will -
About the Learners
Grade Level: 3rd Grade Subject Area: Science (integrating Socail Studies and ELA) Learner Description: Third graders are working towards developing their observational skills and their ability to connect concepts. They are very eager to learn about their environment, while also working and collaborating with thier classmates. This project will allow them to explore the world that is all around them using technology to document and share their findings.
ISTE Standard(s) for Students
Chosen Standard - 1.3.d Explore Real Word-Issues
Rationale
students build knowledge by exploring real-world issues and gain experience in applying their learning in authentic ways.
Students will use technology; online research tools, camera on a phone/tablet, possibly a simple drawing app to gather information and then use this app (Genially) to present their individual understandings of the ecosystem. This lesson aligns directly with the use of technology by showcasing the students learning and interpreting their own and other classmates results.
Mississippi Standards
Chosen Standard: L.3.2 Students will demonstrate an understanding that through reproduction, the survivaland physical features of plants and animals are inherited traits from parent organisms but can also be influenced by the environment.
Rationale: This standard directly aligns with the investigation of local environments and identifying the many different needs of both plants and animals. Students will work to gather evidence about the things their chosen ecosystem provides.
Materials and Technologies
Teacher MAterials
Student MAterials
Nine elements of project-based learning
Anchor: This is a "Mystery Habitat Reveal" to spark curiosity about the environment and living things needs. Task: Students will create a "Local Ecosystems Guide" presentation to identify local plants and animals, researching different thinggs like their survival needs. Directions: 1. Chose a local habitat to explore 2. identify the plants/animals living there 3. research what they need to survive 4. Create a digital guide (presentation) of your findings to show the class Student Choices: The local habitat, Plants and Animals, and Visuals Student Inquiry: What lives in our local park, backyard, or playground? What do they eat? Collaboration and teamwork: Share their findings, brainstorm more examples, help each other build their presentations Teacher Coaching and Feedback: Teacher will help with students research while also checking for their understanding of the plants/animals/ they are researching. Student Reflection: Students will think about the different things they learned or the things that they thought were the coolest. Public Presentation: Students will share their Genially PResentations with the class, parents, or other classes to explain their chosen habitat.
Grading Ruberic
Students can earn up to 28 points total.