LibGuides: Educator Guide: Energy in the Ecosystem: Energy in the Ecosystem Educator Guide

Energy in the Ecosystem

Tips to Come Prepared

Before you visit the Genovesi Environmental Study Center (GESC) with your class:

Read the Essential Questions (p. 1) and Connections to Standards (p. 2) to decide how you want to link your curriculum with your field trip
Complete the Pre-Visit Lesson (p. 3) with your class activating student interest and engagement
Come to GESC ready to engage and learn with our experiential, hands-on field trip program, Energy in the Ecosystem

Library Finds

Pond Circle by Betsy Franco On a summer night by a small pond, all seems still. But a closer look reveals a world of activity--mayflies dart, beetles dive, frogs spring, skunks shuffle, and owls swoop. As a young girl watches, the circle of life unfolds. Betsy Franco's rhythmic, cumulative text makes this a lively read-aloud, and rich, luminous paintings by Stefano Vitale capture the bold beauty of nature. Young readers will be inspired to journey into their own backyards and discover the wonder of the living, breathing world around them.
A Warmer World by Caroline Arnold "Adapt, or face extinction. The golden toad used to inhabit the cloud forests of Costa Rica, but when the weather became too warm and dried up the pools where its eggs hatched, the golden toad disappeared. It has not been seen in more than twenty years. This amphibian is just one of several species in A WARMER WORLD, a thought-provoking and informative account of how global climate change has affected wildlife over the past several decades. Species by species, acclaimed nonfiction children's author Caroline Arnold describes how warmer weather alters ecosystems, forcing animals to adapt or become extinct. Arnold's clear and straightforward text is complemented by Jamie Hogan's collage-style illustrations. Reminiscent of a nature journal, the book will inspire readers to start their own research into this significant global issue. A glossary and listing of websites and books for further exploration is included."
Common Ground by Molly Bang How do our individual actions affect the world? From the Caldecott Honor author Molly Bang, author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed Sunlight Series, this is a simple story of our planet's natural resources. Through the example of a shared village green and the growing needs of the townspeople who share it, Molly Bang presents the challenge of handling our planet's natural resources. With jewel-like paintings and simple text, Bang impresses upon us the urgency of conserving and preserving our earth's limited bounty.

Exciting Ecology Facts!

Adult tigers eat approximately 40 pounds of fresh meat in one sitting. Talk about carnivores!
Mushrooms are excellent decomposers. In addition to decomposing organic matter, they can break down pesticides, paint, plastic, and petroleum.
In Antarctica, shrimp-like animals called krill are a vital part of the food web because the vast majority of the region’s consumers feed on them. Krill are considered a keystone species because without them the food web would fall apart.

Essential Questions

What is ecology?
How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
What are the four types of consumers?
Why do scientists study ecology?

Our Educator Guide

Energy in the Ecosystem: Educator's Guide Click the "Energy in the Ecosystem Educator Guide" to access information regarding your trip to GESC, pre- and post-visit lessons, and tips on how to make your field trip successful.

Sora eBooks

Access these free ebooks by signing in to the Sora app with your NYC DOE credentials.

Ecosystems by Angela Wagner Study biotic and abiotic Ecosystems presented in a way that makes it more accessible to students and easier to understand. Discover the difference between Producers, Consumers and Decomposers. Look at evolving populations, change in Ecosystems, Food Chains and Webs. Understand what and why we classify what is Photosynthesis and how the water cycle interacts with man to microorganisms. An ecosystem is a group of things that work and live together in an environment. Our resource provides ready-to-use information and activities for remedial students using simplified language and vocabulary. Ready to use reading passages, student activities and color mini posters, our resource is effective for test prep, whole-class, small group and independent work. All of our content is aligned to your State Standards and are written to Bloom's Taxonomy and STEM initiatives.
Pass the Energy, Please! by Barbara Shaw McKinney; Chad Wallace (Illustrator) Learning becomes fun with this book about the food chain and transfer of energy connecting all life on earth. Amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us and feel part of it all. Each of nature's creatures "passes the energy" in its own unique way. In this upbeat rhyming story, the food chain connects herbivores, carnivores, insects and plants together in a fascinating circle of players. All beings on Earth from the anchovy to the zooplankton depend upon the green plant, which is the hero of the story. Barbara McKinney's special talent shines again (see also A Drop Around the World) for being able to present the science curriculum so concisely, creatively, and cleverly. Great for anyone looking for books: to teach kids about the food web and transfer of energy. that make learning fun for kids home schooling!
Bringing Back the Wolves by Jude Isabella; Kim Smith (Illustrator) By 1926, there were no grey wolves left in Yellowstone National Park, due to a programme by the US government to eliminate threats to livestock. As a result virtually every other part of the park's ecosystem was affected and the landscape was in distress. In 1995, in an attempt to reverse this decline, the government reintroduced grey wolves to the park, and a remarkable restoration took place. This fascinating tale is accompanied by beautiful nature art by Kim Smith as well as educational back-matter such as a glossary, food web infographics, and an index.
The Lorax by Seuss Celebrate Earth Day with Dr. Seuss and the Lorax in this classic picture book about protecting the environment!   I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.   Dr. Seuss's beloved story teaches kids to speak up and stand up for those who can't. With a recycling-friendly "Go Green" message, The Lorax allows young readers to experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted, all in a story that is timely, playful and hopeful. The book's final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.    Printed on recycled paper, this book is the perfect gift for Earth Day and for any child--or child at heart--who is interested in recycling, advocacy and the environment, or just loves nature and playing outside.   Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.   "Pretty much all the stuff you need to know is in Dr. Seuss." -President Barack Obama
Condor Comeback by Sy Montgomery; Tianne Strombeck (photographer) *Winner of the 2021 Green Earth Book Award* Sibert Medalist, National Book Award Honoree, andNew York Timesbest-selling author Sy Montgomery turns her formidable talents to the story of California condors and the scientists who have fought against their extinction in this installment in the award-winning Scientists in the Field series.   In April of 1987 the last wild California condor was captured and taken to live in captivity like the other twenty-six remaining birds of its kind. Many thought that the days were over of of this remarkable, distinguished bird that had roamed the skies of North and Central American for thousands of years.   Sy Montgomery employs her skill for on-the-ground reporting, shrewd observation, and stunning narrative prose to detail the efforts of scientists, volunteers, and everyday citizens to get California condors back in the wild. In particular, Montgomery profiles employees at the Santa Barbara Zoo who have worked tirelessly to raise abandoned chicks, nurse sick birds back to health, and conduct research that can support legislation to ban what is probably the largest threat to the existence of the wild condor: lead bullets. In turns affectionate and frustrated, hopeful and heartbreaking, Montgomery's powerful prose does justice to these ancient, sociable, and elegant creatures.   Complete with world-class, full-color photography and helpful sidebars that provide details such as the history of the bird's fight back from extinction, the dangers of lead poisoning, and the relationship of condors to the Chumash nation, Condor Comeback is an inspiring story of groundbreaking science, perseverance, and cooperation.