A variety of plants and animals live in forests. Each has its own characteristics and habitat requirements. The following Project Learning Tree activities can help students learn more about forest animals and plants and where they live. Iowa-specific information (see Iowa supplemental information) is included to make the activities more relevant to Iowa students.
Charting Diversity
Grade Level: |
4-8 |
Setting: |
indoors |
Duration: |
one 50-minute period |
| Objectives: |
Students will be able to 1) organize different
species of plants and animals according to
various characteristics; and 2) determine how
certain characteristics help species adapt to
environmental conditions. |
| Method: |
Students explore the amazing diversity of life
on Earth and discover how plants and animals
are adapted for survival. |
Iowa supplemental information (42KB pdf)
Field, Forest, and Stream
Grade Level: |
4-8 |
Setting: |
outdoors |
Duration: |
one 50-minute period |
| Objectives: |
Students will be able to 1) investigate
and measure components in three
different ecosystems; 2) describe similarities
and differences they observe among three
ecosystems; and 3) identify ways that
the abiotic components of an ecosystem affect
the biotic components. |
| Method: |
Students examine three different environments
and record differences in soil moisture,
temperature, sunlight, wind, and diversity
of plants and animals. |
Iowa supplemental information (121KB pdf)
Web of Life
Grade Level: |
4-8 |
Setting: |
indoors |
Duration: |
two 50-minute periods |
| Objectives: |
Students will be able to 1) collect information
about various organisms in an ecosystem;
2) create a mural that depicts the
interdependence of various organisms with
other components in an ecosystem;
and 3) create a simulated web of life
using a ball of string. |
| Method: |
Students investigate a forest plant or animal. |
Iowa supplemental information (94KB pdf)
|
