Personalize Decomposers Activity

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 activity is great because it “personalizes” decomposers. Students love this activity!

Includes both print and Google Slides options to assign.

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:

• You may also be interested in our Fungi Reading: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
• ANSWER KEY and SAMPLE STUDENT WORK are provided.
• Please note: this resource is not editable.
• GO PAPERLESS!  Use the included digital Google Slides version!
• Check out more resources in the classification section of our shop!