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Forest
Floor Terrarium
Background
Information
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Summary: This
Center allows students to learn about many aspects of a forest floor ecosystem,
including decomposition, the water cycle, food webs, the needs of living things,
and physical vs. chemical change over an extended period. In addition, students
conduct observations each week in teams of three, record information about the
forest floor environment, and report their findings to the class.
Note: Children
who are sensitive to fungi such as mold should not open the terrarium lid during
observations. Setting up this Center in September is recommended.
Related
Topic(s): decomposition, the water cycle, the needs of living things, food
webs, physical vs. chemical change, fungi, classification, nitrogen cycle, carbon
cycle, matter (solid, liquid, gas)
Ohio Academic Standards Alignment: Click here to view content standards alignment to Science for Ohio by grade level.
Background
Information:
- Background Information
Pages. Pages which can be displayed at the classroom center are available
for the following related topics: decomposition, the water cycle, food webs,
the needs of living things, and physical vs. chemical change (See Ready
to Print.)
- Misconception(s).
Misconception: A rotting log is dead. Fact: Fallen trees/rotting logs are
arguably more alive than standing ones, since so much of their mass is taken
up with other organisms.
- Expected Results.
Expect to find a variety of organisms living in the rotting log and
forest soil. Expect insect eggs laid in the rotting log to hatch and add
new life to the terrarium.
- Cautions. Children
who are sensitive to fungi such as mold should not open the terrarium lid
during observations.