Brenda Rone, Susan Gentry, and Bridgett Niedringhaus Hazelwood School District ECOLOGY III Second Grade

These lessons are designed to reinforce: State Science Standard 4 Ecology VIII Interactions

Teacher Page 4We suggest that students keep a journal. 4It is critical for students to use writing skills to explain answers. When you see this symbol students should use their journals. 4Click to go to a new slide.

Interactions Activity 1

Discuss with your class or group how these living organisms interact with their environment.

The bird feeds on worms, insects, and plants in the environment. In this way it helps control those populations. It can be a food source for larger animals like the cat. Sometimes it may help carry seeds from plants to other areas. The worm receives nutrients from living and decaying plants. It is a food source like the bird. Most of the time it makes its home underground. Worms work like plows, loosening the soil, and leaving nutrients which help plants to grow. Did your discussion include some of these ideas?

The cat is a predator, an animal that captures and eats other animals. In this environment it may eat the bird. A cat sometimes eats plants to clear out its digestive system. It can use plants to hide from its prey. The butterfly uses the plants in the environment. It sucks nectar from flowers and uses plant leaves to lay eggs on. It helps pollinate flowers. It is a food source for animals like the bird. It also adds beauty for the environment.

Plants directly provide food for the insect and worm in this environment. They provide shelter and protection for all the animals in this community. The sun, air, soil, and water provide food and help plants grow. You might write some of these ideas in your journal to help you with the next activity. End of Activity