Ecosystems in a Changing Climate

Science Grades 5th Grade 3:41 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore how climate change impacts ecosystems and the living things within them. Learn about adaptations, food chains, and the role of carbon dioxide.

Video Resource

Climate Change: Crash Course Kids #41.2

Crash Course Kids

Duration: 3:41
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Climate vs. Weather
  • Climate Change
  • Ecosystems
  • Adaptations
  • Food Chains
  • Carbon Dioxide

Learning Objectives

  • Define the difference between weather and climate.
  • Explain how climate change can affect ecosystems.
  • Describe how adaptations help organisms survive in their environment.
  • Model the flow of energy in a food chain and explain how climate change impacts the food chain.
  • Identify how carbon dioxide affects climate change

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about weather and climate. Discuss the difference between the two using examples from their local area. Briefly introduce the topic of climate change as a long-term change in weather patterns.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'Climate Change: Crash Course Kids #41.2' video. Instruct students to pay attention to the examples of how climate change affects ecosystems and the adaptations of plants and animals.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Lead a class discussion using the provided discussion questions to reinforce understanding of key concepts from the video.
  • Interactive Exercise: Food Chain Model (15 mins)
    Students will work in small groups to create a food chain model using specific organisms. They will then explain how climate change (e.g., decreased rainfall, increased temperature) might affect their chosen ecosystem. They can draw, use construction paper, or other materials to create their models.
  • Conclusion (3 mins)
    Summarize the main points of the lesson and emphasize the importance of understanding climate change and its impact on the world around them. Preview potential solutions to climate change.

Interactive Exercises

  • Food Chain Model
    Students create a food chain model of an ecosystem and explain how changes in climate would impact each organism in their model. Include drawing the sun, and arrows indicating where energy flow goes.
  • Class Debate
    Hold a class debate to determine the biggest impact climate change has on ecosystems and develop potential solutions to protect Earth’s resources.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between weather and climate?
  • How can climate change affect plants and animals in an ecosystem?
  • What are some adaptations that help animals and plants survive in their environment?
  • How does carbon dioxide in the atmosphere relate to climate change?
  • How does removing an organism from the bottom of the food chain affect the rest of the chain?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Analysis
  • Modeling
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Correct Answer: Weather is short-term, climate is long-term.

Question 2:

Which of the following is an example of an adaptation that helps a cactus survive in a dry climate?

Correct Answer: Waxy and tough outer layer

Question 3:

What might happen to animals in a desert ecosystem if there is less rainfall due to climate change?

Correct Answer: They may not have enough water to drink and may not survive.

Question 4:

According to scientists, what is causing the Earth's climate to change?

Correct Answer: An increase in gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Question 5:

In a food chain, where does the energy come from for the cactus?

Correct Answer: The sun

Question 6:

What does it mean when the video says that Earth’s atmosphere is acting like a blanket?

Correct Answer: The atmosphere is trapping heat and making the Earth warmer

Question 7:

Which one of these animals is at the top of the food chain in the video?

Correct Answer: Fox

Question 8:

What is something that scientists are doing to stop climate change?

Correct Answer: Finding ways to stop carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere

Question 9:

What does climate change mean for plants?

Correct Answer: They may not have enough to store

Question 10:

How does taking out the bottom of the food chain affect it?

Correct Answer: It throws the rest of the ecosystem off balance

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Long-term changes in the Earth's weather patterns are called ______ _______.

Correct Answer: climate change

Question 2:

A characteristic that helps a living thing survive in its environment is called an ________.

Correct Answer: adaptation

Question 3:

A _______ _______ shows how energy flows between living things in an ecosystem.

Correct Answer: food chain

Question 4:

An increase in gases like _______ _______ in the atmosphere is trapping more heat close to the Earth.

Correct Answer: carbon dioxide

Question 5:

_______ can change quickly, but _______ changes more slowly.

Correct Answer: weather/climate

Question 6:

The sun creates the _______ for organisms to use.

Correct Answer: energy

Question 7:

A waxy outer layer on a cactus helps it save ________.

Correct Answer: water

Question 8:

The ________ is all living things on Earth.

Correct Answer: biosphere

Question 9:

Scientists are trying to find _______ to help stop climate change.

Correct Answer: solutions

Question 10:

A hotter and drier climate means _______ water for animals to drink.

Correct Answer: less

Educational Standards

5-LS2-1:Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. 5.LS2.2:Use models to explain factors that upset the stability to local ecosystems.

Teaching Materials

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