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Managing ecosystems

Lesson Plan

1. Starter: What is an ecosystem? - Duration 5-10 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Discuss the various elements of the Earth's natural environment.
  • Identify that an ecosystem is the natural community of animals, plants and their habitat.
  • Introduce the learning objectives.
  • Introduction to Ecosystems.
  • Slides

Teacher Notes: 1. Starter: What is an ecosystem?Teacher Notes: 1. Starter: What is an ecosystem?

2. Human impact - Duration 10-15 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Revise or introduce ecosystems. Provide an overview of the food chain, energy cycle and types of ecosystems.
  • Discuss the impact of human activity on ecosystems.
  • Understand what an ecosystem is and how they are destroyed and altered by human activity.
  • Slides

Teacher Notes: 2. Human impactTeacher Notes: 2. Human impact

3. Mystery exercise - Duration 20-30 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Explain succession and climax vegetation.
  • Mystery exercise: Hawthorn is a scrub that grows on Salisbury Plain. What has stopped the scrub growing and arrested the establishment of climax vegetation on Salisbury Plain? Should the scrub be removed or allowed to grow?
  • Students should produce a presentation to demonstrate their findings.
  • Applied learning.
  • Reinforced understanding of succession.
  • Slides
  • Student Worksheet 1
  • Video: Military training on Salisbury Plain

Teacher Notes: 3. Mystery exerciseTeacher Notes: 3. Mystery exercise

4. Debate - Duration 15-21 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Class review a news article about Defence Estates scrub removal.
  • Does the work of the MOD improve or damage the environment? Discussion of answers.
  • Should the MOD be doing more to reduce the spread of scrub? Present Slide 20-22 to show before and after scrub removal. Discussion of answers.
  • Develop discussion and debate skills.
  • Slides
  • News Article
  • Student Worksheet 2
  • Study Cards

Teacher Notes: 4. DebateTeacher Notes: 4. Debate

5. Plenary: Vote - Duration 5-10 mins

 

Episode

Learning Objectives

Resources
  • Class vote on whether the MOD is having a negative or positive impact on Salisbury Plain.
  • Summarise understanding.
  • Multiple choice quiz

Teacher Notes: 5. Plenary: VoteTeacher Notes: 5. Plenary: Vote

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