This is a 5 lesson unit designed to cover the second of two Biological Science content areas for
Year 4 students.

Students learn about ecosystems and the importance of balance and the relationships between living things.

The final assessment piece is a very large game, which will take some time, both in preparation and also in execution, but should be well worth the investment of time. It is best played in large groups, so if you’re in a bigger school, consider asking if any other teachers would be interested in taking part.

5 x 1 hour lessons
Cross curriculum
13x resources/worksheets
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Australian Curriculum - (QLD/SA/WA/NT/TAS/ACT)

ACSSU073

Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive


ACSHE061

Science involves making predictions and describing patterns and relationships


ACSHE062

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions


ACSIS064

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on prior knowledge


ACSIS065

With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment


ACSIS066

Consider the elements of fair tests and use formal measurements and digital technologies as appropriate, to make and record observations accurately


ACSIS068

Use a range of methods including tables and simple column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


ACSIS216

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


ACSIS069

Reflect on investigations, including whether a test was fair or not


ACSIS071

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings using formal and informal representations


NSW

ST2-1WS-S

Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations


ST2-2DP-T

Selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity


ST2-4LW-S

Compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things


ST2-5LW-T

Describes how agricultural processes are used to grow plants and raise animals for food, clothing and shelter


ST2-10ES-S

Investigates regular changes caused by interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and changes to the Earth’s surface


ST2-6MW-S

Describes how adding or removing heat causes a change of state


ST2-7MW-T

Investigates the suitability of natural and processed materials for a range of purposes


ST2-8PW-ST

Describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat


ST2-9PW-ST

Describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion


ST2-3DP-T

Defines problems, describes and follows algorithms to develop solutions


ST2-11DI-T

Describes how digital systems represent and transmit data


VIC

VCSSU058

Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive


VCSSU056

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions


VCSIS065

With guidance, identify questions in familiar contexts that can be investigated scientifically and predict what might happen based on prior knowledge


VCSIS067

Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies


VCSIS068

Use formal measurements in the collection and recording of observations


VCSIS069

Use a range of methods including tables and column graphs to represent data and to identify patterns and trends


VCSIS070

Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings


VCSIS071

Reflect on an investigation, including whether a test was fair or not


VCSIS072

Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings to show patterns and relationships using formal and informal scientific language


Overview

In this unit, students:

  • Research the variety of ecosystems that exist around the world.
  • Explore the different roles that living things can have within an ecosystem.
  • Predict what will happen when living things in feeding relationships are removed or die out.
  • Examine the risks to ecosystems, especially those caused by humans.
     
Learning Intention
  • We are learning to understand that living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, e.g. shelter for animals.