Skip Navigation
Search

Habitat Observations

Habitat Observations

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, sound recorders, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Essential Understanding

The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry.

Science Background

Terrariums in the Classroom: San Francisco State University (PDF) – Classroom habitats such as aquariums and terrariums are essential tools for students to be able to make observations about living organisms.  This document provides information on how to set up a terrarium and cost breakdowns.

Terrariums in the Classroom
San Francisco State University, funnel.sfsu.edu

Signature Lesson

Animals’ Needs: BioEd Online (website) - To learn the differences between living and nonliving things, students observe and compare candy “gummy worms” to live worms. They create worm terrariums and make observations that a worm is a living organism that has basic needs, including air, water, food and a place to be.

Animals’ Needs
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Supporting Lessons

Plants in Space: BioEd Online (website) - Be part of an exciting investigation conducted on the International Space Station and on Earth! Examine plant root growth in microgravity and compare “space plants” with similar plants grown in your classroom. Includes a free, downloadable teacher’s guide and supplemental materials (registration required).

Plants in Space
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Bottle Habitat: AskEric Lesson Plans (website) - Construct an aquatic ecosystem in a plastic, two-liter soft drink bottle and stock it with water plants, snails and fish. Over a four-week period, observe, describe and record the physical characteristics of the environment and the organisms living in this ecosystem.

Bottle Habitat
AskEric Lesson Plans, Reach Out Michgan! www.reachoutmichigan.org

Assessment Ideas

Over a period of two to three weeks, have students make daily observations of the terrarium created for the Signature Lesson, and record their findings in their science notebooks. At the end of the observation period, ask the following questions:

  • What physical characteristics of the terrarium environment support the organisms living in it?
  • How do the living organisms within this ecosystem rely on each other for survival?
  • How do the living organisms within this ecosystem rely on the non-living objects for survival?

Literature Connections

A Kid’s Guide to Making a Terrarium, Bearce, S. (ISBN-13: 978-1584158134)

Related Science TEKS

(3.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including observing a schoolyard habitat.

(3.1B) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to make informed choices in the use and conservation of natural resources by recycling or reusing materials such as paper, aluminum cans, and plastics.

(3.2A) Plan and Implement Descriptive Investigation
The student is expected to plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking and answering questions, making inferences, and selecting and using equipment or technology needed, to solve a specific problem in the natural world.

(3.2B) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data by observing and measuring using the metric system and recognize differences between observed and measured data.

(3.2C) Graphs, Tables, Charts
The student is expected to construct maps, graphic organizers, simple tables, charts, and bar graphs using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate measured data.

(3.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain
The student is expected to analyze and interpret patterns in data to construct reasonable explanations based on evidence from investigations.

(3.2E) Value of Repeated Experiments
The student is expected to demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results.

(3.2F) Communicate Conclusions
The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions supported by data in writing, by drawing pictures, and through verbal discussion.

(3.4A) Tools for Collecting and Analyzing Information
The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, sound recorders, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(3.4B) Safety Equipment
The student is expected to use safety equipment as appropriate, including safety goggles and gloves.

Related Math TEKS

3.13A  The student is expected to collect, organize, record, and display data in pictographs and bar graphs where each picture or cell might represent more than one piece of data.

3.13B  The student is expected to interpret information from pictographs and bar graphs.

Additional Resources

Bottle Biology: University of Wisconsin-Madison (website) – Learn how to convert 2-liter soda bottles into a terrarium/ aquarium.

Bottle Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison, www.bottlebiology.org

Close Comments Button

Comments

Post a Comment
Close Comments Button