Ecosystem Study At Reed Intermediate School

By Susan Coney

Armed with supplies, sixth grade science students from Barb Mancher and Eric Myhill’s classes headed out to the woods to study ecosystems. A beautiful day and Mother Nature provided everything needed for this hands-on science lesson.

The sixth graders at Reed Intermediate School have been studying populations in an ecosystem. Prior to leaving the classroom the students were given a lesson on proper tick precautions. The students checked to be sure the group had all the necessary supplies before trekking outside.

The classes hiked out past the baseball fields at the school and into the adjacent woods to do an up-close observation of ecosystems. Equipped with small shovels, gallon-size plastic bags, four sticks for markers, twine, white paper, and a small hand lens, the students were prepared for the study. The task at hand was to observe and record every type of organism and vegetation in their four-square-meter area.

The students were placed in small groups and worked in cooperation to choose a site to study. They measured a square area of ground one meter on each side, then proceeded to push four sticks into the ground to mark the four corners of the square. They tied string around the sticks to enclose the area.

The students were to carefully and silently study the area for several minutes, looking for moving insects or other organisms. They recorded their observations and listed all organisms and vegetation they were able to see with the help of the hand lens.

Samples of each type of organism and vegetation were placed in collection bags to take back to the classroom for further study. Using the shovel, soil samples were also collected in a separate bag. While at the site students put some soil on the sheet of white paper to help them more closely examine the soil for movement. The group proceeded to identify any living organisms.

After returning to the classroom the students were given the opportunity to share their observations with classmates. The students will be using microscopes to explore soil samples and smaller organisms and vegetation they collected on their field trip.

The outing was a follow up to several weeks of studying ecosystems, plants, animals, microorganisms, producers, consumers, and recyclers. Each student has been working on an independent ecosystem research project, which involves a written report, creating a visual aid, and using the visual aid to help report orally to the class. As part of their study the sixth grade classes will be visiting the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J., as a culmination of the unit.