K-5 Wetland Ecosystems
Our Wetland lessons can meet the Essential Standards for multiple grade levels.
K.P.1 Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment
K.P.1.2 Give examples of different ways objects and organisms move (to include falling to the ground when dropped):
- Straight
- Zigzag
- Round and round
- Back and forth
- Fast and slow
1.E.2 Understand the physical properties of Earth materials that make them useful in different ways
1.E.2.1 Summarize the physical properties of Earth materials, including rocks, minerals, soils and water that make them useful in different ways.
1.L.1 Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive.
1.L.1.1 Recognize that plants and animals need air, water, light (plants only), space, food and shelter and that these may be found in their environment.
1.L.1.3 Summarize ways that humans protect their environment and/or improve conditions for the growth of plants and animals that live there (e.g., reuse or recycle products to avoid littering).
2.P.2 Understand properties of solids and liquids and the changes they undergo (in relation to water).
3.E.2.1 Compare Earth’s saltwater and freshwater features (including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and glaciers).
3.G.1.3 Exemplify how people adapt to, change and protect the environment to meet their needs.
4.L.1.3 Explain how humans can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats (e.g., recycling wastes, establishing rain gardens, planting trees and shrubs to prevent flooding and erosion).
4.G.1.2 Explain the impact that human activity has on the availability of natural resources in North Carolina.
5.L.2.1 Compare characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds, forests, and grasslands.
5.L.2.2 Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).
5.L.2.3 Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.
5.G.1.2 Explain the positive and negative effects of human activity on the physical environment of the United States, past and present.
Wetland lessons vary based on grade level appropriateness, but can include a discussion on wetland ecosystems, exploring the different types of wetlands, hands-on activities, music videos and songs, comparing how water moves in different types of wetlands, and interactive stories. Older students can also explore the NC Wetland locator or play a game where the students in the class represent various macroinvertebrates in an ecosystem. Students in grades 3rd-12th are also able to participate in our educational contests each year.
