Big Foot and Other Mythical Creatures’ Favorite Ecosystems
Young learners' curiosity about mythical creatures is the hook to explore five ecosystems: forest, plain, mountain top, wetland, and desert, in a fun, interactive, conversational way. *Small classes* Experienced Teacher*Physical Geography
Miss Mollie Geography & Social Studies Writing
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(135)
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hoursHomework
Students will complete the writing assignment (one paragraph) and self-evaluate it, using the rubric provided. Extension activities are provided, as part of the lesson materials. These are optional. They are suitable to complete outside of class to extend learning.Assessment
Students will compose a paragraph responding to the question: Which ecosystem would be your favorite to live in? The paragraph must include an opening sentence and three supporting reasons that refer to facts from the lesson. Students may share paragraphs in class, as time allows. A rubric to assess the paragraph is provided. This may be completed by the student and serve as a basis for discussion with their learning partner.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Young learners are natural explorers. Their curiosity about mythical creatures is the hook to explore an ecosystem and how it might support Big Foot, for example. We will explore five of the many types of ecosystems found throughout the world. We will examine a specific location for each and the physical geography. Students can actively participate, sharing their own ideas, their own observations and responses in trivia challenges. At the end of this class they will be able to identify five types of ecosystems, review the continents, and explain powerful academic vocabulary useful to any geographic explorer! Vocabulary includes: ecosystem, environment, continent, moderate, elevation, continental, vegetation, alpine, sparse, endangered, tropical, forest, plains, mountain top, wetland, and desert. Parents may choose one of three leveled activity packets to match their child's readiness for note taking and writing. Please download before class. The downloaded activity will be completed in class. The assessment may be completed after class if additional time is needed. It can serve as an artifact to support most geography-related study at this level.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to explain that an ecosystem is made up of many living and non-living elements, affecting each other. They will be able to recognize basic geography vocabulary associated with five types of ecosystems. A brief review of continents is included. Students will evaluate five specific ecosystems (forest, plain, mountain top, wetland, desert) by choosing their favorite and defending their choice with reasons, in writing. Writing will be completed in class if time allows. A rubric is provided so that students can use to self evaluate their written response. This can serve as a basis for assessment, with a learning partner.
Other Details
Supply List
Highlighter (optional) Pencil or Pen Download One Activity Packet + Extension Activities: Parents determine their student’s readiness then choose one (1) of the following leveled attachments. These are all the same lesson activity, but the difficulty level is tiered to meet your learner’s readiness to take notes and write a paragraph, independently. Level A - Azure Big Foot and Other Mythical Creatures’ Ecosystems . Vocabulary, Notes, Analysis and Writing, World Map. Confident Note Takers & Writers Activity (Recommended for students who can copy facts and compose a paragraph independently.) Level B - Bruin Big Foot and Other Mythical Creatures’ Ecosystems. Vocabulary, Notes, Analysis and Writing, World Map. Moderately Confident Note Takers & Writers Activity. Some Notes and Framed Sentences are included. (Recommended for younger students or learners who are somewhat confident in note taking and writing. Framed response is included to support students as they complete a paragraph at the end of class.) Level C-Cerise Big Foot and Other Mythical Creatures’ Ecosystems. Vocabulary, Notes, Analysis and Writing, World Map. All notes are included. Students are not required to take notes. Students use a highlighter (or pencil to underline) to participate instead of taking notes. (Recommended for students who have difficulty taking any notes. A framed response is included for students to complete at the end of class.) Extension Activities (Optional)
4 files available upon enrollment
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2020
5.0
135reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Maryland Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
2 Degrees
Master's Degree from George Washington University
Bachelor's Degree in History from Trinity University of Washington D.C.
I am pleased to teach as a certified Social Studies Teacher in my state, and have taught Social Studies (including World Geography) for over 18 years. My classes (both in person and on-line) have lots of fun and engagement with picture analysis, vocabulary games, map activities and student brainstorming to apply cultural concepts to the five themes of Geography ( place, location, region, movement and human/environment interaction).. Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
50 min
Completed by 36 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
1-4 learners per class
