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Examples of Interdependence

Examples of Interdependence

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to analyze and record examples of interdependence found in various situations such as terrariums and aquariums or pet and caregiver.


Essential Understanding

The student knows that the living environment is composed of relationships between organisms and the life cycles that occur.

Science Background

The Concept of the Ecosystem: University of Michigan (website) - Good introduction to the many interactions among living and nonliving components of the environment.

The Concept of the Ecosystem
University of Michigan, www.umich.edu

Interdependence of Life: Project 2061 (website) - Brief overview of how organisms depend on one another and elements of the environment for survival.

Interdependence of Life
Project 2061, www.project2061.org

What is an aquatic ecosystem? University of Florida CSREES Florida Water Quality Program (website) – Aquatic ecosystems are good examples of the interdependence of living and nonliving objects. This site explains aquatic ecosystems, including issues such as environment protection and flooding.

What is an Aquatic Ecosystem?
University of Florida, www.ufl.edu

Signature Lesson

Log Hotel: FORED BC - Landscapes (PDF) - Observe how nature has its own recycling program as plants and animals move into decaying logs and depend on each other for survival.

Log Hotel
ForedBC, www.landscapesmag.com

Supporting Lessons

Investigating Local Ecosystems: Science NetLinks (website) - Investigate the habitats of local plants and animals and how they depend on each other for survival.

Investigating Local Ecosystems
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com

Animals’ Needs - Living Things and Their Needs: BioEd Online (website) - Create terrariums to analyze and record examples of how earthworms depend on their environment.

Animals' Needs
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Needs of Plants: BioEd Online (website) – Students plant radish seeds in different environments and observe the radishes over time to learn about what plants need to grow and survive.

Needs of Plants
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Putting it all Together: Goldfish Connection (website) - Learn how to set up your own classroom aquarium. Analyze and record examples of interdependence found in an aquarium.

Putting it all Together
Goldifsh Connections, www.goldfishconnection.com

Assessment Ideas

Have students draw a picture of the class terrarium or aquarium, or a decaying log, and make a list of at least five ways the living organisms depend on each other, and on non-living objects, for survival.

Literature Connections

On One Flower. Fredericks, Anthony (ISBN-13: 978-1584690870)

Under One Rock. Fredericks, Anthony (ISBN-13: 978-1584690276)

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book). Kunhardt, Dorothy (ISBN-13: 978-0307120007)

Every Living Thing. Rylant, Cynthia (ISBN-13: 978-0689712630)

Related Science TEKS

(1.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to recognize and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(1.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to recognize the importance of safe practices to keep self and others safe and healthy.

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.3A) Identify, Explain and Propose a Solution to a Problem
The student is expected to identify and explain a problem such as finding a home for a classroom pet and propose a solution in his/her own words.

(1.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

(1.3C) Explore Scientists
The student is expected to describe what scientists do.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers ,  hand lenses , primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks;  and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

1.8A    The student is expected to order three or more events according to duration.

1.9A    The student is expected to collect and sort data.

1.9B    The student is expected to use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.12A  The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  The student is expected to justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Trees at Work, Just Look! Illinois Department of Natural Resources (PDF) - Learn about how animals, people and the environment itself depend on the invisible work of trees. Download the entire guide for teacher or the activity, Trees at Work.

Trees at Work, Just Look!
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, dnr.state.il.us

Why School Gardening? Kids Gardening (website) - Learn about programs, grants and resources that can be used to help you create a school gardening area in which students can analyze interdependence of living and nonliving organisms.

Why School Gardening?
Kids Gardening, www.kidsgardening.org

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