-NiE ,
20 SEPTEMBER 2017
Elementary
The ecosystem Note to the teacher
century learning skills
Creature feature LOOK at a small puddle of water that has collected over several days. You may find all sorts of living things in there – from microorganisms to insects and plants. As you may have learnt in your science lesson, these living creatures depend on a number of factors to thrive (or live) like air, water, sunlight, and even nutrients. An ecosystem includes plants, animals and organisms living and interacting with each other. We have many types of ecosystems in the world such as deserts, meadows, rainforests and wetlands.
Ocean
OUR children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips. Teachers have to equip their students with new skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy. The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with current content to build this set of skills. The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.
● Reason ● Measure ● Organise
Plain
Freshwater
Desert
C. A grizzly bear’s habitat is the: Three items this creature needs to live in the ………………… are:
NiE Activity 2 Critical thinking
● Question ● Identify ● Reason
● Measure ● Organise
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect ● Brainstorm ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Recreate ● Research ● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Non-verbal
● Written ● Aural
● Present
● Non-verbal ● Written ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise ● Attain goal
Forest
Three items this creature needs to live in the ………………… are:
● Invent
● Oral
Tundra/Arctic
B. A gorilla’s habitat is the:
● Connect
Communicating
Rainforest
A. A camel’s habitat is the:
● Brainstorm
● Recreate
Earth supports many different animal habitats, each of which has different features and distinct plant and animal populations. Animals and plants are adapted to the conditions of the habitats in which they live. Here are several habitats that are homes to animals:
Three items this creature needs to live in the ………………… are:
● Imagine
● Research
● Question ● Research
Complete the following charts by matching each living creature to its best habitat. Next, suggest three items or elements that sustain life in each creature’s habitat. At least three words or pictures must be taken from The Star.
Creative thinking
Problem solving
Problem solving
Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason
EXAMPLE
Critical thinking ● Identify
NiE Activity 1
Answers: A. desert B. rainforest C. tundra
2
Animals adapt to their habitats to ensure their survival. This is called evolution. A polar bear, for instance, would not be able to survive in the desert; likewise, a camel would not be able to live in the Arctic. Can you give five reasons why this is so? In pairs, look through The Star for a picture of a place. It could be a picture of a city, a marketplace, a park, a supermarket or even a winter wonderland. Cut it out and paste it on a sheet of A3 paper. Next, create a creature by combining body parts from ● ● ● ● ● ●
Name your creature. What are its physical features? Why are these features needed in this habitat? What does it eat? What does it do during the day? Is it nocturnal? Does it have any natural predators?
Collaborating ● Listen
● Compromise
● Contribute respectfully
different animal types, such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and invertebrates. This creature must have adaptations that help it to survive in your chosen environment. Refer to other creatures to identify features and characteristics that would help this creature thrive in the environment you have chosen. Once you have done so, start “designing” your animal. Finally, write out an 80-word essay using the following questions to help you.
Have a show-and-tell session in class. Then, pin your work on the classroom noticeboard. Do a gallery walk and place stars on new, exotic creatures you like!
nie editorial manager: SHARON OVINIS senior nie executive: ROWENA CHUA writer: A. NAIR layout designer: SHOBA illustrator: HASSAN BAHRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; write to: Star-NiE, Star Media Group, 15 Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya or e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my