Ecosystem2nd grade lesson

Life Science

By Michelle Soto

Introduction

There are 6 types of ecosystems in the world: ocean, desert, tundra, forest, grasslands, and wetlands. Some can be found in California and the United States others are found throughout the world.

Ocean•It covers 72% of the earths surface •“deep sea — where it's as dark as night and icy cold”•Kelp Forest

• The Kelp forest is made up of large seaweed that can grow all the way to the surface

Desert

•The desert covers over one fifth of the earth.•Not many animals are able to live in the desert •There is little rain in the desert•During the Summer it is extremely hot during the rest of the year it is extremely warm

Arctic tundra:•cold•vast•treeless area•“earth's coldest biome”•They are located in the northern most part of the earth

Tundra

Forest

•Tropical rainforests are located close to the equator, in over 85 different countries•Temperate rainforests are found near coastal areas

Grassland•There are 3 types:

• Tall grasslands have very tall grass, up to 152 cm tall, and up to 80cm of rain a year.

• Mixed grasslands have grasses that grow around 60-90 cm high and about 40-60 cm of rain each year.

• Short grasslands have short grasses and receive very little rainfall each year, less than 15 cm

Wetland

•There are 3 types• Marshes- equal area of open water and vegetation. • Swamps- forested wetlands • Peatlands- soil is highly organic

Resources

•www.thirdgradeecosystem.pbworks.com

•http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769052.html•http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/planetocean/ocean.html•http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.htm•http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/desert.html•http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/biomerainfor.htm

Standards

LIFE SCIENCES 3. Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for survival. As a basis for understanding this concept:      a. Students know plants and animals have structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.      b. Students know examples of diverse life forms in different environments, such as oceans, deserts, tundra, forests, grasslands,           and wetlands.      c. Students know living things cause changes in the environment in which they live: some of these changes are detrimental to the          organism or other organisms, and some are beneficial.      d. Students know when the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce; others die or move to new          locations.