Mangrove Life Cycles and Survivorship Curves

Make life cycles and survivorship curves more meaningful, hands on, and inquiry driven with this fun case study on mangrove trees!

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:

• What are the stages of a mangrove tree’s life?
• How likely is it that a mangrove tree lives to each stage of life?
• How does a mangrove tree reproduce in order to make up for low survivability of seedlings?

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson, the teacher may prefer to prepare the pieces of the mangrove life cycle ahead of time (printing, cutting, and laminating) or have students cut and glue in the classroom. There is also a digital version provided for virtual students or for anyone who prefers to reduce classroom materials.

First, students will be prompted to analyze text and images showing the mangrove life stages. Then, they will order the descriptions and photos to the best of their ability. Use the Google Slides presentation provided to check answers when everyone has completed the activity.

Then, the students will move into a data analysis portion of the lesson where they study survivorship curves and compare the different types. Students will draw conclusions about the adaptations that mangroves may develop in order to overcome their unique survival challenges. Specifically, that the majority of mangrove plants do not make it past the fruit or seedling change.

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.

How Can I Use this Resource?

• Emergency Sub Plans
• An independent work station in a set of stations
• Differentiation – Assign this reading 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 & Google Slides)
• 9 Slide Guiding Presentation (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 Slides & Google Docs versions of these files. You will be able to copy these 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 MANGROVE LIFE CYCLES SURVIVORSHIP CURVES :