Terrariums

Today was our third hour-plus science block this week.  We have begun our Ecosystems science kit.  Students assembled their "eco-columns" on Tuesday.  On Wednesday they collected some materials (dead plant materials, rocks, and dirt) from the school yard.  Students will work with one or two partners for this unit.  Each group talked about what they want to learn and what they already know about the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem.  Together we studied a picture of an ecosystem and tried to identify all the living things in it.  Today, Thursday, students created their terrariums.  Working together they went through many detailed steps.  By the end of the class everyone had sowed mustard seeds, alfalfa, and grass.  There was a lot of counting and observing.  They will keep detailed observation notes in their science journals.  Everyone is looking forward to seeing what will grow.