NorthEast Washington ESD 101

Ecosystem Diversity (L)

Curricula: Carolina Building Blocks of Science (BBS) 

An ecosystem is the living and nonliving things that interact with one another in a specific area. Within ecosystems are smaller habitats, which are the places where living things can meet their basic needs—water, air, a food source (or sunlight for plants), and a shelter. Ecosystem Diversity provides hands-on, inquiry based investigations focused on phenomena that support concepts related to organisms interacting in their habitats. Through a series of five lessons, students identify different habitats, determine the growth patterns of plants, explore plants’ dependence on animals, recognize the diversity of living things, and consider their own impact on the world around them.

Supplied Literature

Teacher Prep Videos

• Lesson 1
• Lesson 2
• Lesson 3
• Lesson 4
• Lesson 5

Vocabulary Resources

• Kahoot
• Quizlet

Drawing Bugs, Exploring Art, and Leaf Comparisons (L)

Curricula: Extension Mini-Kit 

Students draw bugs and see how they’re alike or different. Students look at Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s art and how he used living things. Students compare leaves to see what’s the same or different.

Earth Materials (E)

Curricula: Carolina Building Blocks of Science (BBS) 

Water, rocks, sand, soil, wind — put them altogether and you get erosion. By working with a variety of materials, students engineer designs to slow erosion on sand dunes. They build models of glaciers and canyons to see the effects of water and ice on soil. They also analyze their local soil. In the concluding activity, students design an island, incorporating water and land forms, then share how erosion will happen in this model.

Supplied Literature

Teacher Prep Videos

• Lesson 1
• Lesson 2
• Lesson 3
• Lesson 4
• Lesson 5
• Lesson 6

Vocabulary Resources

• Kahoot
• Quizlet

Exploring Mountains and Soil Science

Curricula: Extension Mini-Kit 

Students begin by building a foam mountain model and then proceed to compare it to an actual mountain, focusing on understanding and connecting topographical features. In addition, they formulate soil by combining various earth materials and delve into the study of its distinct properties.

Matter (P)

Curricula: Carolina Building Blocks of Science (BBS) 

Students explore solids, liquids, and gases and their different properties. They investigate changes in state (both physical and chemical) using real world examples. What happens when you chill or heat coconut oil? What makes popcorn pop? Matter and energy have never been so tasty!

Supplied Literature

Teacher Prep Videos

• Lesson 1
• Lesson 2
• Lesson 3
• Lesson 4
• Lesson 5

Vocabulary Resources

• Kahoot
• Quizlet

Paper Chromatography & Solid Materia Studies (P)

Curricula: Extension Mini-Kit 

Students employ paper chromatography as a technique to examine elements that may not be readily visible. This method is particularly useful for uncovering the pigments present in watercolor inks. During this process, students carefully observe and document details pertaining to the characteristics of various liquid substances. They also engage in the exploration of the visual aspects and interactions of these liquids within containers. Additionally, students delve into the study of various solid materials, where they elucidate how the unique properties of these solids find practical applications in construction.

Designing Windmills (Eng)

Curricula: Engineering is Elementary 

In Catching the Wind: Designing Windmills, students explore the forces of wind and weather and their many applications in engineering. The unit begins with the storybook Leif Catches the Wind, in which a boy named Leif living in Denmark explores the field of Mechanical Engineering in order to build a windmill to save a friend’s fish. Students then follow the steps of the Engineering Design Process to imagine, plan, create, and improve their own windmill blades.

Supplied Literature