Field Trips
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- State Standards:
- Virginia Science Standards - 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
The world is composed of many natural ecosystems in which plants and animals interact with one another and the nonliving environment. Each species has a niche or job within the ecosystem and each is dependent on the other members of its community for survival. Students will explore the natural communities found in Shenandoah National Park and make comparisons between natural and human communities. As human and environmental impacts are evaluated, stewardship behaviors that support a healthy world will be explored and practiced. This field trip is recommended for fourth grade.
Objective(s)
Following the park experience and classroom activities, the students will be able to
- define food web and explain the transfer of energy in a sample food web;
- determine an organism's niche in its community and describe the interdependent relationships among organisms and nonliving components;
- identify at least three environmental and human influences that can impact a community and determine potential consequences;
- explain how Shenandoah National Park protects natural communities and list three ways people can demonstrate care for ecosystems and the environment.
Standards
State science standards: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
▶ Watch the Pre-visit Video
Watch this short video with your students to prepare with a ranger for some content they will learn about in your upcoming Habitats of Shenandoah program in Shenandoah National Park.
Materials
Download Ecosystems: The World-wide Web of Life
Tags: ranger-led program ecosystem
Last updated: May 4, 2023