Symbiotic relationships play an imperative role in the ecology unit. Learning how organisms interact with one another feels limitless and unbounded for our students. Have you noticed that the level of engagement in your class is enhanced when you discuss animals, their lifestyles and habitat choices?
In my class, the ecology unit is an immersive experience. Students love to feel as if they are part of the environments in which these organisms are living. We discuss environments on both a global and local scale.
I take about two weeks to teach symbiotic relationships in my class. First, we cover the difference between an organism’s niche and their habitat. Then we dive deep into mutualism, commensalism and parasitism, the three types of symbiotic relationships. This unit addresses the following essential questions, “How does an organism’s niche differ from its habitat?” and “How do organisms interact with one another?”
Niches vs. Habitats & symbiotic relationships unit
Here is a list of all of the done for you resources included in this two-week long unit:
– Niches vs. Habitats PowerPoint Presentation & Guided Notes
– Niches vs. Habitats Practice Packet & Answer Key
– Niches Creative Project
– Symbiotic Relationships PowerPoint Presentation & Guided Notes
– Symbiotic Relationships Practice Packet & Answer Key
– Niches vs. Habitats & Symbiosis Quiz & Answer Key
Students are introduced to the content through PowerPoint presentations. Guided notes are provided to accompany the presentations, which help students with the note-taking process. Students are tasked with practicing what they learned either individually or in small groups. Finally, they have the opportunity to exemplify their level of comprehension in two forms: a creative project and a formative assessment.
download your free symbiotic relationships practice packet now!
Interested in adding this unit to your curriculum, but want a sample first? Download a free copy of the Symbiotic Relationships Practice Packet here!
Be sure to check out my two-month long Ecology bundle with all kinds of extra activities about environmental connections, animal migration, abiotic and biotic factors, aquatic and terrestrial biomes, food chains and food webs, and so much more. We all know how nice it is to have DONE FOR YOU activities.
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