Exploring Earth's Ecosystems
In this 8 week course, students will learn all about Earth's ecosystems and human's impact on them.
Wild and Unstructured Learning
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(1,095)
Popular
What's included
16 live meetings
13 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
Learners may need to finish projects outside of class time.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Exploring Earth's Ecosystems is a eight-week unit study designed for middle school students to delve into the fascinating world of ecosystems. The class incorporates interactive, hands-on projects to explore key concepts such as biodiversity, symbiosis, energy and matter flow in ecosystems, limiting factors, carrying capacity, and changes in ecosystems over time. Additionally, students will gain insight into the significant impact humans have on ecosystems.
Week 1: Ecosystem Basics
Day 1: What are ecosystems?
Day 2: Biodiversity in ecosystems
Week 2: Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Day 1: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Ecosystems
Day 2: Ecosystem Dioramas
Week 3: Symbiosis in Ecosystems
Day 1: Mutualism
Day 2: Commensalism
Week 4: Symbiosis and Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Day 1: Parasitism
Day 2: Producers, consumers, and decomposers
Week 5: Energy Flow and Limiting Factors/Carrying Capacity in Ecosystems
Day 1: Trophic Level Pyramids
Day 2: Explore population dynamics and implications of overpopulation
Week 6: Changes in Ecosystems Over Time
Day 1: Natural changes in ecosystems
Day 2: Invasive Species
Week 7: Human Impacts on Ecosystems
Day 1: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Day 2: Land Pollution
Week 8: Human Impacts on Ecosystems
Day 1: Air Pollution
Day: Water Pollution
This unit study on ecosystems aims to provide an immersive and engaging experience, fostering a deep understanding of ecosystems while encouraging critical thinking and creativity in middle school students.Learning Goals
Students will learn about ecosystems and the impact humans have on them.
Syllabus
16 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Ecosystem Basics
What are ecosystems? 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Ecosystem Basics
Biodiversity in ecosystems 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Ecosystems 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Biodiversity in Ecosystems
Ecosystem Dioramas 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Paper Pencil Coloring Scissors Glue Cardboard Colored Paper Pipe cleaners, cotton balls, pompoms, etc. (any art supplies) Organism Objects/Figurines Shoebox Plastic Tupperware (8x8 or larger) Modeling Clay or play doh Moss or grass from your yard Water Cooking Oil, i.e. vegetable oil Handheld Fan Sponge Spatula Large empty plastic soda bottle Scissors Tape Rocks, pebbles, or broken clay for the bottom of the bottle Potting soil Seeds (grass, wild flowers, bean, etc.) Water Optional: moss, twigs, rocks, clovers, grass, etc. from your yard to put on the top layer of your ecosystem All supplies needed will be posted in the classroom at least a week in advance.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2020
4.8
1095reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
10 teachers have teaching certificates
Alabama Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Michigan Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Kansas Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Kentucky Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Virginia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Texas Teaching Certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages
Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Texas Teaching Certificate
Texas Teaching Certificate
Non-US Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
9 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from University of West Alabama
Master's Degree in Education from Saginaw Valley State University
Master's Degree in Education from American International College
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Houston-Clear Lake
Master's Degree in Education from University of Houston Clear Lake
Master's Degree from Duke University
Master's Degree in Special Education from Moreland University
Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University
Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Ottawa
11 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Montevallo
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Mount Holyoke College
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Asbury College
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Furman University
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Longwood University
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Houston Clear Lake
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Whitworth University
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Angelo State University
Bachelor's Degree from Angelo State University
Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Literature from Bohai University, China
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from University of Missouri
Teachers will have at least 5 years experience teaching middle school science.
Here is a link to a document with all of Wild and Unstructured Learning's teachers. They are listed alphabetically in the document.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zItA4QLkRR6dfhOEMzBjrWW_Zssk9Yz5B90Nstuli0c/edit?usp=sharingReviews
Live Group Course
$320
for 16 classes2x per week, 8 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-10 learners per class
