ALEX Resources

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Lesson Plans (3) A detailed description of the instruction for teaching one or more concepts or skills. Unit Plans (1) Learning Activities (2) Building blocks of a lesson plan that include before, during, and after strategies to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill. Classroom Resources (8)

ALEX Lesson Plans  
   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Modeling Energy Within the Food Chain
Description:

In this lesson, students will demonstrate an understanding of the transfer of matter (energy) in various ecosystems by constructing a model food chain. In the food chain, students must show how an ecosystem provides energy from a producer to the consumers and ending with a decomposer.

The students will begin by working in groups to compete with their peers by sorting food chain picture cards (producers, consumers, decomposers of an ecosystem) in the correct order. Students will be assessed at the conclusion of the lesson with a multiple choice exit ticket quiz.

This unit was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.



   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

[ELA2021] (5) 15 :
15. Use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases during presentations and discussion.
[ELA2021] (5) 11 :
11. Acquire and use grade-level vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Subject: English Language Arts (5), or Science (5)
Title: The Circle of Life
Description:

During this lesson, the students will learn how matter transfers within an ecosystem and within the environment

*This lesson can be taught over a two-day period. 

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.



   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: The Transfer of Energy in Ecosystems
Description:

In this lesson, students will use technology to construct a model of a balanced ecosystem that shows how energy cycles from one organism to the next by completing research and writing short passages about their ecosystem. Students will then compare their balanced model ecosystem and describe a change or introduce an invasive species to show how the balance of their model ecosystem will change to adapt. As students are designing their model they will also describe the relationships of the components that make up an ecosystem and causes/effects of unbalanced ecosystems. 

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.



ALEX Unit Plans  
   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (5) 16 :
16. Demonstrate comprehension of varied literary and informational texts by utilizing its content when discussing or writing in response to the text.
[ELA2021] (5) 38 :
38. Gather information on a topic or question, and share the results through various modes of writing, including projects and presentations.

a. Locate information in print and digital sources.

b. Summarize, quote, and paraphrase information in notes and finished work, providing a list of sources.

c. Integrate information from several texts on the same topic into presentations of research.
[ELA2021] (5) 26 :
26. Analyze how two or more texts address similar topics in diverse media and formats, including graphics, live and/or recorded performances, and written works.

a. Explain how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the overall meaning and tone of a text.

b. Compare and contrast the approaches to theme in several stories within a genre.

c. Locate information quickly within a text and apply information from multiple sources to analysis of the topics.

d. Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

e. Compare the approaches of several authors of articles about the same or similar topics.
[SS2010] USS5 (5) 3 :
3 ) Distinguish differences among major American Indian cultures in North America according to geographic region, natural resources, community organization, economy, and belief systems.

•  Locating on a map American Indian nations according to geographic region
[MA2019] (5) 5 :
5. Use place value understanding to round decimals to thousandths.
[MA2019] (5) 4 :
4. Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.

a. Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.

Example: 347.392 = 3 × 100 + 4 × 10 + 7 × 1 + 3 × (1/10) + 9 × (1/100) + 2 × (1/1000).

b. Compare two decimals to thousandths based on the meaning of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < to record the results of comparisons.
[SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.


Title: Natural Resources Shared Naturally
Unit Plan Overview: Natural resources provides what living things need to survive and thrive. This unit explores the transfer of energy throughout the food chain, investigates the amounts of rainfall in a region, examines the patterns of Native Americans settling adjacent to water, and guides students as they design animals that would survive in a wet biome. The math, science, history, and language arts lessons included are strong enough to stand alone, but when taught simultaneously, strengthen each of the 5th grade standards. This unit was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.


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ALEX Learning Activities  
   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

[DLIT] (5) 5 :
R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

Subject: Science (5), Digital Literacy and Computer Science (5)
Title: Decomposers: More Than Meets the Eye
Description:

This Hyperdoc activity helps students understand the role of decomposers in the food chain and in the creation of soil. Students will create their own illustration modeling this process. Students will use the Hyperdoc to watch, view, and interact with information regarding these important decomposers. The students will watch an educational video clip about decomposers and answer a reflection question about their role in the food chain. Students will read and study an infographic on decomposers and draw conclusions about their role in plant growth. Students will explore an interactive website to learn how different composers affect soil creation and create a model of this process. This lesson aligns with 5th grade Alabama Science Course of Study.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.



   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 10 :
10 ) Construct and interpret models (e.g., diagrams, flow charts) to explain that energy in animals' food is used for body repair, growth, motion, and maintenance of body warmth and was once energy from the sun.

[SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Antarctic Food Web
Description:

This game challenges players to build a food web based on Antarctic food chains. Players must position the names of producers and consumers in the correct places in a diagram. The completed diagram demonstrates how energy flows through an Antarctic ecosystem and the relationships between predators and prey. This interactive also provides background knowledge and reference materials and allows players to check their answers for accuracy and try again.

This learning activity was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science University, GEMS-U Project.



ALEX Learning Activities: 2

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ALEX Classroom Resources  
   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

[SC2015] (5) 14 :
14 ) Use a model to represent how any two systems, specifically the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and/or hydrosphere, interact and support life (e.g., influence of the ocean on ecosystems, landform shape, and climate; influence of the atmosphere on landforms and ecosystems through weather and climate; influence of mountain ranges on winds and clouds in the atmosphere).

[DLIT] (3) 12 :
6) Describe the function of a flowchart.

[DLIT] (4) 11 :
5) Use flowcharts to create a plan or algorithm.

[DLIT] (6) 12 :
6) Identify steps in developing solutions to complex problems using computational thinking.

Subject: Science (5), Digital Literacy and Computer Science (3 - 6)
Title: Steve Trash Science: Ecosystems Gimme Shelter/Rock Paper Scissors
URL: https://www.pbs.org/video/ecosystems-gimme-shelterrock-paper-scissors-n8jzws/
Description:

Steve Trash teaches kids about science with fun and magic. The show is filmed in Alabama.

Ecosystems are not only the places where living things live, but also the connections between the living things in those places. Steve explores this cool idea and then tries to figure out the logical steps needed to get computer program to play the game rock paper scissors with him.


   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Break It Down | PLUM LANDING™
URL: https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/plum14.sci.life.breakitdown/break-it-down/
Description:

Bring on the ants! Players send leafcutter ants and mushrooms—two important rainforest decomposers—into the leaf litter that is built-up on the forest floor, in this interactive game from PLUM LANDING™. In the process, they make healthy new soil that will provide nutrients for other organisms.


   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers
URL: https://www.knowitall.org/lessons/producers-consumers-decomposers
Description:

In this lesson, students will be able to identify the producers, consumers, and decomposers and sort them with their group to create a food chain.


   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Food Chains StudyJam
URL: http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/food-chains.htm
Description:

The classroom resource provides a video that will describe the interactions between organisms in a food chain. There is also a short test that can be used to assess students' understanding. Students can use the information presented in this video to create their own model that shows the transfer of matter between organisms. 


   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 11 :
11 ) Create a model to illustrate the transfer of matter among producers; consumers, including scavengers and decomposers; and the environment.

Subject: Science (5)
Title: Food Webs StudyJam
URL: http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/food-webs.htm
Description:

The classroom resource provides a video that will describe the interactions between organisms in a food web. There is also a short test that can be used to assess students' understanding. Students can use the information presented in this video to create their own model that shows the transfer of matter between organisms. 


ALEX Classroom Resources: 5

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