8th Grade
Lesson: Lesson 1 part II- “Ecosystem Basics”

Objective: TLW…answer what an ecosystem is and what types of ecosystems are in Michigan.

Anticipatory Set: “Yesterday we discussed why MI is a special place to live; today we are going to look more in depth at ecosystems.”

Materials:
Journals
Pencils
Overhead
Transparencies
Globe
Levels of Interactions
DNR posters
MI Land cover poster
“Is That Really an Ecosystem” card set
MI land cover poster, desktop size

Procedure:
Guided Practice:
1) Students take notes with teacher using traditional note taking method. Work
through PowerPoint with teacher.
2) Hand out card sets “Is That Really an Ecosystem” when the PowerPoint indicates to. Have students work in pairs at their tables. PowerPoint will help students along with their work. 3) When PowerPoint comes to the land cover slide, hand out the desktop land cover posters and allow students to follow along with the PowerPoint
presentation.
Independent Practice:
4) Last slide on PowerPoint asks students to generate three questions of their own about ecosystems for homework. Bring to class tomorrow


Closure: “Today we discussed the specific ecosystems in MI. Who can name one?” Have students recall all of them. “Remember to keep working on your Vocabulary Boxes which are due on Friday.”

Extension/Enrichment: Students can bring in books they have found that are about different ecosystems from around the world to share with others.