Energy in Ecosystems Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Energy in Ecosystems Complete 5E Lesson equips students with the tools to describe the flow of energy in a food web, highlighting the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers. The lesson follows the 5E model and now includes a Spanish version of the Station Lab reading passage and updated answer keys, ensuring accessibility for all students.

The lesson provides everything you need to teach the concept effectively, from engagement materials such as objective statements and class activities to differentiated station labs that foster student-led inquiry. Students will also benefit from editable PowerPoint presentations, interactive notebook templates, and formatted notes to support different learning needs.

As students deepen their understanding, they will complete a student choice science project to elaborate on the content. Evaluation includes engaging homework and assessments with both open-ended and modified questions, ensuring comprehensive learning and mastery of the concepts.

The Kesler Science Energy in Ecosystems Station Lab offers a dynamic, student-led approach to 5th-grade science that keeps learners engaged while reducing prep time for teachers. This station lab covers the flow of energy in a food web, exploring the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers. With the inclusion of a Spanish version of the reading passage, this resource is accessible to all learners.

Students will rotate through eight differentiated stations, each offering activities designed to foster independent learning and discovery. Teachers guide the process, but students take charge of their learning experience. The stations include a variety of hands-on activities such as experiments, drawing, video-based learning, and research, ensuring multiple ways for students to engage with the content.

The station lab is adaptable for both in-person and remote settings. In virtual environments, students can interact with the materials through Google Slides or PowerPoint, and even submit responses digitally. Detailed instructions and a free Start-Up Guide provide teachers with everything needed to implement this station lab effectively, including support for distance learning platforms like Google Classroom and MS Teams.

The Kesler Science Energy in Ecosystems Student Choice Projects offer 5th graders the opportunity to select a project that matches their learning style. With six different project options plus a "design your own" choice, students can express their understanding in creative ways. Teachers can use or modify the provided rubric to assess student work, offering flexibility for peer or self-assessment. 

The resource includes nine project options, teacher directions, and editable rubric pages that focus on key concepts such as vocabulary, clarity, and presentation. Differentiated options help meet the needs of diverse learners, offering remediation or challenge tasks. 

Designed for ease of use, the projects require basic classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options also available for digital completion. Some projects may involve crafting for model-building activities.

The Kesler Science 5th Grade Life Science Interactive Notebook Bundle provides engaging, hands-on learning for key life science topics. This comprehensive resource includes both print and digital versions, making it perfect for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning.  

The digital interactive notebook features a unique PowerPoint format, Google Slides compatibility, reflection pages, space for notes, and a modified version for students with accommodations. The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, plus color photo examples for easy implementation.  

Covering topics like plant growth, ecosystems, fossil evidence, and inherited traits, this bundle helps students organize their learning while giving teachers flexible, high-quality materials to enhance instruction.