Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Ecology: Ecological Succession

Objectives

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to clearly establish the main objectives of the lesson, so that students and the teacher are aligned with the learning expectations. At the same time, it aims to create a conducive environment for the integration of digital resources, encouraging active and collaborative learning.

Main Objectives

1. Understand the process of ecological succession, identifying the main stages and the associated environmental changes.

2. Recognize the different species that participate in each stage of ecological succession and their ecological interactions.

3. Comprehend the concept of ecological climax and the stability of ecosystems over time.

Side Objectives

1. Incorporate the use of digital technologies and multimedia resources to enrich the understanding of the topic.
2. Encourage group work skills and collaboration among students.

Introduction

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

✍ Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to engagingly introduce the topic of the lesson, warming up students for what will be explored in depth. By utilizing digital technology, such as quick research via cell phones, the aim is to connect theory and practice, as well as to spark curiosity and motivation among students. The key questions serve to stimulate discussion and ensure that everyone has a solid initial understanding of the topic.

Warming Up

 Warm-up: Start the lesson by briefly explaining that ecological succession is the process by which an ecological community transforms over time until it reaches a state of equilibrium. Ask students to use their cell phones to look up an interesting fact about ecological succession and share it with the class. Encourage active participation from students, highlighting that this practice will help connect theoretical concepts with real examples.

Initial Reflections

1. ❓ Question 1: What is ecological succession and why does it occur?

2. ❓ Question 2: What are the main stages of ecological succession?

3. ❓ Question 3: What is the difference between primary succession and secondary succession?

4. ❓ Question 4: How do pioneer species differ from climax species?

5. ❓ Question 5: Why is the concept of ecological climax important for understanding ecosystem stability?

Development

Duration: 70 to 80 minutes

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to incite active and collaborative learning through practical activities using modern digital tools. By presenting creative scenarios and problems, it seeks to reinforce students' understanding of ecological succession, stimulate their communication and teamwork skills, and connect learning with the current digital reality.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 -  Creating an Instagram Page about Ecological Succession

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Utilize social media platforms to deepen understanding of ecological succession and communicate scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner.

- Description: Students will create an Instagram page dedicated to the topic of ecological succession, developing posts that explain each phase of the process and its respective species. They will use images, graphics, and videos created by themselves or found online.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group must create a new page on Instagram with a name related to ecological succession.

• Divide the work among group members: some may focus on content research, others on creating images and graphics, and others on writing texts and videos.

• The posts should follow a logical order, starting with the explanation of primary succession, followed by secondary succession, and culminating in the climax stage.

• Encourage students to use relevant hashtags and follow accounts related to the topic to increase engagement.

• After completing the posts, each group should present their page to the rest of the class, explaining the decisions made during the process.

Activity 2 -  Gamification: Strategy Game about Ecological Succession

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Foster understanding of ecological processes and species interactions through a playful and interactive approach.

- Description: Students will develop a strategy game in which they must 'rebuild' an ecosystem through the phases of ecological succession. They will use digital tools to create the game and understand ecological interdependencies.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group must choose a digital tool to create the game (e.g., Scratch, Kahoot! or similar).

• The game should include different levels representing the stages of ecological succession (primary, secondary, and climax).

• Students should include questions, challenges, and barriers at each level that test the knowledge acquired about the species and their ecological interactions at each phase.

• After finishing the game, each group should present a brief demonstration of the game to classmates, explaining the choices and challenges included.

• Students can play the games of other groups to enhance learning and engagement.

Activity 3 -  YouTube Channel: Documentary about Ecological Succession

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Develop research, communication, and audiovisual technology skills to deepen knowledge about ecological succession and share it effectively.

- Description: Students will create a YouTube channel where they will post a multipart documentary about ecological succession. They will use videos, narrations, interviews, and images to detail each stage of the process.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group must create a new YouTube channel dedicated to the documentary on ecological succession.

• Organize the work in segments: research and script, video recording, editing and narration, and production of graphics and animations.

• The documentary should be divided into sections, each explaining a stage of ecological succession, using real and/or simulated examples.

• Include interviews with experts (they can be fictional characters played by the students themselves) and discussions about the importance of biodiversity at each stage.

• After completing the documentary, each group should show their video to the class and discuss the main learnings and challenges faced.

Feedback

Duration: 20 to 25 minutes

 Purpose: The purpose of this stage is to promote collective reflection on the learning acquired, encouraging the exchange of experiences and a deep understanding of the topic addressed. Through 360° feedback, the aim is to develop self-assessment skills and improve students' teamwork and communication skills.

Group Discussion

 Group Discussion: Promote a group discussion with all students, asking each group to share their experiences and conclusions obtained during the activities. Use the following script to guide the discussion:

1. Introduction: Remind students of the objective of the activity (to explore ecological succession in a practical and digital way).
2. Presentations: Ask each group to briefly present the work done (Instagram page, game, documentary), highlighting the main learnings.
3. Comparison: Encourage students to compare the different approaches used by each group and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each.
4. Conclusion: Summarize the main points discussed, emphasizing the understanding gained about ecological succession and its importance.

Reflections

1. 易 Question 1: What did you learn about ecological succession through the practical activity? 2. 易 Question 2: How do species interact with each other at each stage of ecological succession? 3. 易 Question 3: How did the use of digital tools facilitate learning about this topic?

360° Feedback

 360° Feedback: Instruct the class to carry out a 360° feedback phase, where each student must receive feedback from other group members. Guide students to ensure that the feedback is constructive and respectful. Use the following guidelines:

1. Strengths: Each student mentions something positive about each peer's contribution.
2. Areas for Improvement: Suggest something that each student can improve or do differently in a future activity.
3. Conclusion: Each student thanks for the feedback received and mentions a point of action for future activities.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

 Purpose of Conclusion: To consolidate the learnings, connect the studied concepts with current practical realities, and highlight the importance of the topic in the context of everyday life. The conclusion also aims to reflect creatively and funnily, reinforcing the relevance of the content and encouraging students to apply the knowledge gained in their lives.

Summary

 Fun Summary: Imagine that ecological succession is a party! First, the hosts (pioneer species) arrive, preparing the environment. Gradually, the guests (intermediate species) start to arrive, each contributing and modifying the space with their music and decorations (ecological interactions). Finally, when the party is at its peak, we have the celebrities (climax species) who settle in, bringing balance and stability to the environment. 

World Connection

 Connection to the Modern World: Ecological succession is constantly happening around us, just like the rapid changes in our digital society. Just as in ecologies, social networks and digital technologies evolve quickly with new trends and interactions, adapting to new 'environments' and 'species' (users and technologies) that emerge every moment.

Practical Application

 Practical Applications: Understanding ecological succession helps us plan for ecosystem restoration, conserve our biodiversity, and develop sustainable land use strategies. It is essential knowledge that directly impacts our quality of life and our future on the planet.