Ecosystem · B4 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B4.3.3.1.1 - Explain the concept of ecosystem

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define an ecosystem as a community of living and non-living things interacting together in an environment.
Identify at least five different members (plants, animals, and non-living things) of a given ecosystem.
Explain how different members of an ecosystem depend on one another for survival.
Predict what happens when one member of an ecosystem is removed.
Give at least two examples of ecosystems found in their own community and suggest one way to preserve each.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Systems (Strand 3)
Sub-strand: Ecosystem (3.3)
Content standard: B4.3.3.1 - Show understanding and appreciation of the interactions and interdependencies of organisms in an ecosystem
Indicator: B4.3.3.1.1 - Explain the concept of ecosystem
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 8 (Week 20 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 9
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Learners role-play a typical family setup, showing how everyone is interdependent.
- Learners identify the role of each member of their family, e.g. father, mother, siblings. The key lesson is to understand that everybody in the group is important and depend on one another.
- Teacher mentions a habitat and the learners mention which plants, animals, and other organisms live there (Use games).
- Show pictures and videos of forest settings having trees, grass, a stream, soil, fishes, rodents, frogs, etc. to explain to learners what an ecosystem looks like.
- Learners discuss the importance of every element/member of a given ecosystem, e.g. frogs, weeds, soil and fish in a pond.
- Brainstorm with learners to come out with responses to what happens when a member of the system is removed.
- Assist learners to realise that it causes imbalance in the ecosystem. Relate the concept to everyday life, e.g. the destruction of the forest through galamsey and the felling of trees bring about imbalances in the environment.
- Learners cite examples of ecosystems in their community and suggest ways of preserving them.