"Eco-Adventure: Guardians of Our Green Planet!"

5th Grade Project 4 weeks

"Eco-Adventure: Guardians of Our Green Planet!"

Andrea Bilecz

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2

3-5-ETS1-2

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

+ 8 more

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Purpose

Students will engage in a project-based exploration of conservation, focusing on the importance of preserving natural resources and ecosystems. Through hands-on activities, including interviews with a national park ranger, they will investigate the role of national parks in maintaining biodiversity and analyze human impacts on Earth systems. By developing models and generating solutions, students will gain a deeper understanding of interdependent relationships in ecosystems and learn how to contribute to conservation efforts. This experience aims to foster critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills, empowering students to take informed actions to protect the environment.

Learning goals

Students will explore conservation by interviewing a national park ranger and engaging in hands-on activities that highlight the role of national parks in preserving biodiversity. They will develop models to understand matter movement within ecosystems and assess human impacts on Earth systems. Through reading and summarizing complex texts, students will generate and compare solutions to environmental challenges, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This project will actively involve students in discussions and initiatives that support the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
3-5-ETS1-2 - Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
ESS.3.A - Natural Resources
ESS.3.C - Human Impacts on Earth Systems
LS.2.A - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
LS.1.C - Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms
5-LS2-1 - Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
3-5-ETS1-2 - Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and present a conservation action plan that focuses on preserving a local ecosystem or national park, including insights gained from interviewing a national park ranger. Throughout the project, they will create informative posters and digital presentations that highlight the importance of conservation, the role of national parks, and practical solutions to protect biodiversity. Additionally, students will develop models demonstrating the movement of matter in ecosystems, showcasing their understanding of interdependent relationships and human impacts on Earth systems.

Launch

Begin the project with a visit to a nearby national park or nature reserve, where students can observe diverse ecosystems and wildlife firsthand. During the visit, students will have the opportunity to interview a national park ranger to gain insights into conservation efforts and the challenges faced in preserving biodiversity. Encourage students to take notes and photographs of different species and habitats, asking questions and making observations about interdependent relationships they see. Back in the classroom, students will create a visual and written presentation of their observations and ranger interview, highlighting the importance of conservation and the role of national parks. This real-world experience will serve as a foundation for exploring conservation strategies and engaging with the essential questions throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will create a conservation fair where they present their findings and solutions to real-world conservation challenges. They will develop informative displays and interactive models that demonstrate the movement of matter in ecosystems and the impact of human activities on natural resources. Each group will showcase their proposed solutions for preserving biodiversity in national parks, supported by textual evidence and summaries of key ideas learned during the project. The fair will include interviews with a national park ranger, allowing students to gain insights and share their learning with peers, teachers, and community members, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Project Launch - Visit a nearby national park or nature reserve to observe diverse ecosystems and wildlife, and take notes and photographs to prepare for ranger interviews (45 min)	Ranger Interview Preparation - Develop questions to ask a national park ranger about conservation efforts and challenges, focusing on biodiversity preservation (20 min) Scientific Sketch - Create detailed sketches of observed ecosystems and wildlife to highlight interdependent relationships (25 min)	Ranger Interview - Conduct interviews with a national park ranger to gain insights into conservation strategies and the role of national parks (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Students will create a visual presentation showcasing their observations from the field trip, including photographs and sketches of natural elements and interdependent relationships in ecosystems. 2. A written summary of the ranger interview that includes key insights about conservation challenges and the role of national parks.
Preparation	1. Arrange transportation and permission slips for the field trip to a national park or nature reserve. 2. Coordinate with a national park ranger to schedule an interview, ensuring access to a reliable communication method if the interview is virtual. 3. Provide students with cameras or tablets for taking photographs during the field trip, and ensure access to art materials for creating sketches. 4. Prepare guiding questions to help students develop their own questions for the ranger interview.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Conservation Video Discussion - Watch a short video about conservation efforts and discuss the role of national parks in preserving biodiversity (20 min) Textual Evidence Analysis - Read an article on conservation strategies and identify key points using textual evidence to prepare for a presentation (25 min)	Biodiversity Poster Creation - Develop a poster illustrating the biodiversity observed during the park visit and the importance of conservation (25 min) Interactive Ecosystem Model Design - Collaboratively design models that demonstrate the movement of matter and energy within ecosystems (20 min)	Ranger Interview Reflection - Reflect on insights gained from the ranger interview and discuss how these can be applied to create conservation solutions (20 min) Solution Brainstorming Session - Generate and compare multiple solutions for preserving biodiversity in national parks, using criteria and constraints (25 min)
Deliverables	1. A summary report of observations and ranger interview insights, highlighting conservation challenges and efforts in national parks. 2. A list of potential solutions for enhancing conservation efforts in national parks, supported by textual evidence and summaries of key ideas from research.
Preparation	1. Gather literary and informational texts about conservation strategies, biodiversity, and the role of national parks. 2. Provide materials for developing visual models, such as poster board, markers, and art supplies. 3. Ensure access to digital tools for creating presentations and summarizing research findings. 4. Coordinate with the national park ranger to obtain additional resources or insights that can be shared with the students.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Conservation Text Analysis - Read and analyze a text about human impacts on ecosystems, identifying central ideas and supporting details (20 min) Matter Movement Model Expansion - Enhance existing models to include human impacts on matter movement within ecosystems (25 min)	Ecosystem Impact Assessment - Examine case studies of ecosystems affected by human activities and discuss potential conservation strategies (20 min) Conservation Action Plan Drafting - Begin drafting a conservation action plan, integrating insights from ranger interviews and textual evidence (25 min)	Action Plan Peer Review - Exchange drafts with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity and feasibility of proposed conservation solutions (20 min) Presentation Preparation - Develop a digital presentation outlining the conservation action plan and its connection to the essential questions (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Research document detailing the conservation challenge and supporting textual evidence. 2. Physical or digital model illustrating the ecosystem and the impact of the conservation challenge. 3. Presentation outline for the chosen solution to the conservation challenge.
Preparation	1. Gather research materials, including books and access to digital resources about conservation challenges. 2. Provide art supplies for ecosystem model creation, such as clay, construction paper, markers, and natural elements. 3. Arrange digital devices for research and document creation. 4. Prepare guidance on citing textual evidence and tips for effective presentation design.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Final Conservation Action Plan Review - Refine and finalize the conservation action plan using peer feedback and additional insights from ranger interviews (25 min) Exhibition Preparation - Begin creating informative displays and interactive models for the conservation fair, focusing on the movement of matter in ecosystems (20 min)	Interactive Model Assembly - Construct and test interactive models demonstrating human impacts on ecosystems for the exhibition (25 min) Presentation Rehearsal - Practice delivering the digital presentation that outlines the conservation action plan and its connection to essential questions (20 min)	Conservation Fair Setup - Set up displays and interactive models for the school community exhibition, ensuring clarity and engagement (25 min) Exhibition Presentation - Present findings and solutions to real-world conservation challenges to peers, parents, and community members, incorporating ranger insights and textual evidence (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Conservation Action Plan - A detailed plan proposing solutions for preserving a local ecosystem or national park, incorporating insights from interviews and textual research. 2. Exhibition Display - Visual and interactive materials created for the conservation fair, demonstrating understanding of ecosystem matter movement and human impacts. 3. Presentation of Findings - A live presentation during the conservation fair, where students explain their project, process, and solutions to the audience.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for exhibition displays, including poster boards, art supplies, and digital devices for presentations. 2. Coordinate logistics for the conservation fair, including space setup, invitations to community members, and any necessary technology support. 3. Prepare a rubric for assessing the final project and presentation, ensuring alignment with project goals and standards. 4. Arrange for the national park ranger to attend the conservation fair, either in person or virtually, to provide feedback and engage with students.