Instead of kids always hearing us say “microorganisms” during ecosystem and ecology units, they get to know a few of the ACTUAL SPECIES involved. This decomposers activity is great because it “personalizes” decomposers. Students love this activity!
Includes both print and Google Slides options to assign.
Get this activity at a huge discount in my complete Energy in Ecosystems Unit!
In this activity, students:
- Are given the names and drawings of 12 different decomposer species
- Choose 4 of the provided species to research
- Use the internet to find how each decomposer reproduces, contributes to its ecosystem, where it lives, etc. (No specific websites are given – we have students use Google.)
- Pick their favorite decomposer and make an advertisement to “sell” it to an ecosystem. Using what they have learned, they create a catchy ad highlighting their decomposer.
Teacher Notes:
- Check out my money-saving Energy in Ecosystems Unit!
- ANSWER KEY and SAMPLE STUDENT WORK are provided.
- Please note: this decomposers activity is not editable.
- GO PAPERLESS! Use the included digital Google Slides version!
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Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
- NGSS MS-LS2-2: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
- NGSS MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
- NGSS MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
