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Description
Earth is unique within our solar system and this innovative activity teaches students about the four "spheres" that are essential to maintaining our world. After listening to a poem about the interconnections beween our atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, learners go outside to find evidence of each system. From quietly observing organisms in natural habitats to feeling the soil between their fingers, pupils describe their observations while considering how abiotic and biotic features interact to support the living world. This outdoor experience fosters a closer relationship to nature while reinforcing an understanding of why humans must always consider how our actions impact the air, water and land that are essential to life on our planet.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity supports Grade 4-9 Science learning related to energy flow and connections within biomes and ecosystems and how non-living habitat features such as water affect biodiversity. Students will also be able to define and describe atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The outdoor experience fosters a stewardship ethic as learners develop a deeper awareness of the relationship between human activity and environmental health.
This learning experience could develop into an Earth Day action project where a class works with local volunteers to establish a short nature trail on school grounds. A student-produced guide that identifies flora and fauna found along the path would support its use by teachers, students and community members.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Weather Watch
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Students investigate climate and describe the interactions between the Sun, water, air, and land.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitat and Communities
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interaction of Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth's Surface
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Earth and Space
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Earth and Space
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats and Communities
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Weather
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (2)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Interdependence
