It’s All Connected: Breaking Down the Web of Life!
In this 3-week class, students will explore the flow of energy through trophic levels
(food chains), ecological relationships (mutualism, parasitism, etc), and impacts on coral reef systems (human impacts and food chain disruptions)
What's included
3 live meetings
2 in-class hoursAssignments
1 hour per week. 1-2 throughout the classCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this 3-week class, students will explore the flow of energy through trophic levels (food chains), ecological relationships (mutualism, parasitism, etc), and impacts on coral reef systems (human impacts and food chain disruptions). In our class, we will hold discussions, use slides, watch videos, and complete worksheets. It will be informative and engaging for your child. I like to check for understanding throughout the lesson and keep students on the topics.
Learning Goals
Students will describe the trophic levels in a food chain and a food web.Students will identify the roles of various organisms in an ecosystem.
Syllabus
Standards
Aligned with State-Specific Standards3 Lessons
over 3 WeeksLesson 1:
The Flow of Energy through Trophic Levels
As a result of this lesson, students will…
- describe the trophic levels in a food chain and a food web.
- identify the roles of various organisms in an ecosystem.
- construct an energy pyramid model and describe the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
Lesson 1 will follow a slideshow, students will engage on a collaboration board, and they will construct their own food pyramid using a blank pyramid worksheet and conducting research. 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Interactions, Connections, and Dependency Between Organisms
As a result of this lesson, students will…
- identify symbiotic relationships in ecosystems
- define the types of organism relationships
Lesson 2 will follow a slideshow, students will watch an engaging video on symbiotic relationships, they will participate in a group "quiz" on the type of relationships, and then they will complete a symbiosis worksheet. 40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Impacts on Coral Reef Ecosystems
As a result of this lesson, students will…
- identify the chain reaction of changes to a food web
- identify and recognize the meaning of statistical data relating to coral reefs
- describe human actions and impacts on coral reefs
Lesson 3 follows a slideshow, two videos about coral & coral bleaching, together we will look at a marine food web and students will identify the problems of declining species on ecosystems, and students will complete a worksheet on human threats to coral reefs 40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will be talking about the food chain in ecology so with that comes the implied fact of death in nature. I will not describe the violence of nature or get graphic but students should be prepared for the circle of life to be discussed.
Supply List
- Pen/Pencil - Printed worksheets that I provide
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
We will refer to several academic YouTube videos. They are vetted, are for educational purposes, and do not contain any inappropriate content.
Joined December, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Science
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Misericordia University
I have taught this course to 7th-grade students and I have presented this course to a university Instructional Planning class. I have my bachelor's degree in science education and I am Pennsylvania certified to teach grades 4-6 all subjects and grades 7-12 science. Reviews
Live Group Course
$10
weekly or $30 for 3 classes1x per week, 3 weeks
40 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
5-15 learners per class
