Biodiversity Stations

Introduce biodiversity with this engaging set of stations that focuses on mangrove forest ecosystems! With this resource, your students will be introduced to the concepts of biodiversity, what is being done to preserve biodiversity, and why biodiversity is important to an ecosystem.

This lesson, although intended as a part of an NGSS Storyline on mangrove forests, can be used as a standalone lesson on the following topics:

• Biodiversity
• Why ecosystems need biodiversity
• Why humans need biodiversity
• What are the threats to biodiversity
• Which ecosystems have the highest biodiversity
• What the UN is doing to preserve biodiversity

Lesson Overview:

Using a series of stations, students will investigate the importance of biodiversity and the threats to it. Teachers may choose to moderate the amount of time spent at each station, or allow students to work through them on their own. Feel free to add or remove stations as it suits your classroom needs. The stations are summarized below:

• Watch it! Students will watch a 4 minute video on the importance of biodiversity and then a 12 minute video describing the threats to biodiversity. They will answer questions and summarize their findings.
• Research it! Students will independently research several questions about biodiversity.
• Explore it! Students will study a few habitats and reflect on what kinds of biodiversity may be present there.
• Read it! Students will read a short summary on the state of the natural world from the UN followed by an excerpt describing the value humans get from our ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Assess it! Students will answer 12 multiple choice questions about biodiversity.
• Write it! Students will answer several short answer questions based on their learning.

Who is this resource for?

This resource can be used by classroom teachers, tutors, and parents of students in grades 6-9. It comprehensively covers the topics mentioned, and provides opportunities for student responses which can be implemented in a whole group lesson or assigned for homework.

This lesson is a part of a NGSS storyline unit that addresses the question: What would happen if mangrove forests disappeared?

This resource was originally designed to be used to support the conservation and restoration efforts of the UAE’s rich mangrove forest ecosystems. It has since been modified for use around the world. As a result, two versions of this lesson are provided: one specific to the UAE and one general.

How Can I Use this Resource?

• Emergency Sub Plans
• Whole or small group opportunity to model and teach Close Reading strategies and annotation
• Differentiation – Assign this activity as reteaching for students who have yet to show mastery.
• Homework
• Creation of Independent Work Packet for students who are not able to be present for direct instruction.
• Extension activity for early finishers or for students who show a special interest in the topic
• Use as a square on a Choice Board
• Interactive Notebooks: Print 2 pages in one and cut apart. Glue mini pages into notebooks with room for annotations on the side
• Interactive Notebooks: Print entire PDF as a mini booklet and add to notebooks using these simple instructions.

What’s Included?

• Student Sheet (PDF)
• Student Sheet Digital (Google Docs)
• Stations (PDF)
• Stations Digital (Google Slides)

Purchase includes a printable PDF file in color. On page 2 of this resource you will find a link to student friendly Google versions of these files. You will be able to copy the files and use them with Google Classroom or any other paperless initiative.

Please take a look at the preview file to see more of this resource.

NGSS STANDARDS COVERED BY THIS BIODIVERSITY STATIONS ACTIVITY:

NGSS MS-LS2-2
Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems. Emphasis is on predicting consistent patterns of interactions in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms and abiotic components of ecosystems. Examples of types of interactions could include competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial.

NGSS MS-LS2-3
Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Emphasis is on describing the conservation of matter and flow of energy into and out of various ecosystems, and on defining the boundaries of the system. Assessment does not include the use of chemical reactions to describe the processes.

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Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email me at laneyleeteaches@gmail.com.

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