Ecosystem in a box

Ecosystem in a box

Lesson 5 of 13 in this unit

  • Primary
  • Year 5 - 6
  • Science
  • Environmental
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Sustainability
  • ...

Lesson summary

In this activity students will create four different ecosystems in a shoebox. They will begin by researching different ecosystems, then create and collect all the parts necessary for each of those ecosystems.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

  • learn that ecosystems are made up of a wide variety of elements, including those living and non living.
  • recognise that relationships within an ecosystem work together to form a sustainable balance.

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan
Student Worksheet

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Year 5 Science:

  • Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
  • Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE083)

Year 6 Science:

  • The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
  • Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE098)

Syllabus OutcomesST3-7PW, ST3-4WS, ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor/Outdoor

Time required: 45+ mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Assist students in research and ecosystem construction, provide materials for ecosystems

Resources required

  • Shoe box or other similar sized box for each student or group
  • Scissors, rulers, permanent ink markers, glue, cardboard pieces to fit into boxes, sand, dirt, potting soil, magazine pictures or plastic animals, clumps of grass, twigs, rocks, small paper cups, coloured paper
  • Internet access, Student worksheet 1 (optional)

Additional info

This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.

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  • Primary
  • Year 5 - 6
  • Science
  • Environmental
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Sustainability
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