Activity 5.1: Introduction to Ecosystem Products and Services (40 min)

Show slide 3. Ask students to share ideas about how people are a part of ecosystems and how people use ecosystems.

Show Slide 4 to introduce how humans are a part of ecosystems.

• Have students read 5.1 Ecosystem Products and Services Reading using the Questions, Connections, Questions Student Reading Strategy. See the Questions, Connections, Questions Reading Strategy Educator Resource document for information about how to engage students with this strategy.
• After pairs are finished reading, have students share with the class what they found interesting and any questions they have.
• Show Slide 5. Have students discuss the questions based on the reading.

Use Slide 6 to introduce the activity. Pass out 5.1 Products and Services in Different Ecosystems Worksheet to each student.

• Have students answer the first two questions using the reading.
• Review the answers as a class. Make a list on the board of ecosystem products and services.
• With a partner, have students rotate through each of the 5.1 Ecosystem Images hanging around the classroom. Students should talk with their partner about the products and services that might be provided by each ecosystem and then record their answers in the table on 5.1 Products and Services in Different Ecosystems Worksheet.

Use slides 7-10 to have a discussion about the products and services that might be provided by some of the ecosystems (These ecosystems will be discussed again in Activity 5.3).

• Discuss how the products and services of the different ecosystems are alike and different.

Use Slide 11 to tell students that in the next activity they will focus in on specific ecosystem products and services that relate to carbon cycling. Specifically, they will be learning about water, food, and carbon sequestration in three different human managed ecosystems.