Impacts on Ecosystems Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Impacts on Ecosystems 5th Grade Complete 5E Lesson provides all the resources needed for an engaging, multi-day lesson on ecosystem changes. With minimal prep and student-led learning, this lesson ensures students are actively involved in their learning journey.

Students will explore key questions like, "How does changing one part of an ecosystem affect the whole system?" and "What can humans do to protect ecosystems?" The lesson is designed to be flexible and includes differentiated materials, multimodal learning formats, and editable PowerPoints. It also offers Spanish translations for vocabulary, station lab readings, and interactive notebooks.

The lesson follows the 5E model with structured phases: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. It includes a student-led station lab with nine differentiated activities, PowerPoint presentations, interactive notebooks, student choice projects, and assessments, all adaptable for both in-class and virtual environments.

The Kesler Science Impacts on the Environment Station Lab is a modular, student-centered activity designed to keep 5th grade students engaged while learning about ecosystem changes. These comprehensive materials require minimal prep time, providing students with the opportunity to guide their own learning.

In this station lab, students explore how humans impact ecosystems, the effects of overgrazing, and how new plants and animals can harm an environment. The lab features eight differentiated activities and a bonus challenge station for early finishers, allowing students to work independently or in small groups.

The stations include hands-on activities like demonstrations, research, reading, and videos, along with interactive tasks to assess learning. With both in-person and virtual options, these labs offer flexibility and cater to various learning needs, with resources like task cards, manipulatives, and digital tools.

The Kesler Science Impacts on Ecosystems Student Choice Projects empower 5th grade students to select a project that matches their preferred output style. With six student-led project options and a “design your own” project choice, students can showcase their understanding in personalized, creative ways. A grading rubric allows for flexible assessments by teachers, peers, or the students themselves.

These flexible projects are dynamic and adaptable, offering a variety of multimodal choices. Teachers can modify the rubric to meet grading needs and accommodate diverse learning styles. 

The resources include a choice board with nine project options, a “design your own” project, editable rubrics, and a Teacher Directions page. Differentiated versions support students who need remediation or challenge. Many projects require simple classroom supplies, and digital formats are available for convenience.

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.