I am currently a graduate student at Drexel University working on getting my masters for elementary education. I have to put together a unit on the interdependence of life and was hoping for some advice on the topic. This is my first time putting together a unit and I could really use all the help I can get! I plan on writing the unit for 2nd or 3rd graders. Thanks!
I just did an awesome activity about interdependence that the students LOVED! I did it for my 2nd grade class. I basically created a giant food chain that requires student interaction. Here's how it works: I put my students into groups of 2 because it is hard to find a giant food chain that consists of 23 living organisms. Because I put them in groups of 2, I only had to make a food chain with 12 living organisms. I found the 12 living organisms (mostly animals) and printed out a little picture of the animals. You will give each group a picture and we will begin by going around the room and having the students tell the class what animal they have. To start the discussion I asked the class what would be at the top of the food chain. (We have been discussing this so they know it is the sun because the sun is our primary source of energy). Once we decide that we will start with the sun, we will have that group hold the end of the yarn ball. Then the teacher will ask, "what living organism do you think will come next in the food chain?" Once we find the group, we will pass the yarn to that group and there we will have the start of our giant web. It is important to let the students know that they have to hold the yarn tight so that it is clear. In the end it will end up looking like a giant web. In order to incorporate interdependence, as the activity is going on, I would discuss how all of these living organisms depend on one another in order to survive. Once the web is completely made, you could cut the string and discuss what happens.. we are losing resources. Etc. They loved it and I believe they will remember the content next year when they discuss interdependence. Hope you try it!!
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