Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Ecology: Introduction

Objectives

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide a clear and concise overview of the topics that will be covered in the class, highlighting the main concepts and skills that students should acquire. This prepares students for the practical activities that will follow, ensuring that everyone has a common understanding of ecology and its relevance in the modern world.

Main Objectives

1. Understand the basic concepts of ecology, including population and habitat.

2. Discuss the importance of biodiversity preservation and conservation.

Side Objectives

1. Stimulate students' interest in ecology using real-life examples and contexts.
2. Encourage critical discussion about ecological interactions and human impact on the environment.

Introduction

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to engage students from the start, connecting the topic of the lesson with their personal experiences and encouraging active research. By seeking and sharing interesting facts about ecology, students become active participants in the learning process, preparing for a more in-depth and interactive discussion about the basic concepts of ecology and its importance.

Warming Up

Ecology is a science that studies the interactions between organisms and the environment in which they live. It helps us understand how these interactions influence the distribution and abundance of living beings. To start the class, ask students to use their cell phones to find an interesting fact about ecology. They should be prepared to share this fact with the class. This will help create an immediate connection with the topic and spark interest for the following discussion.

Initial Reflections

1. What is ecology and what is its importance?

2. What are the main concepts that ecology studies, such as population and habitat?

3. How do human activities impact the ecology of different ecosystems?

4. Why is biodiversity preservation and conservation essential?

5. What are some examples of how technology can help in ecological conservation?

Development

Duration: 75 to 85 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a practical and collaborative experience that helps them deepen and apply their knowledge of ecology. Using digital technologies and creative approaches, students will be able to explore ecological concepts in a dynamic and engaging way, strengthening both their scientific knowledge and their communication, research, and media production skills.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 -  Environmental Influencers: Share the Importance of Biodiversity!

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Develop digital communication skills and awareness about biodiversity preservation using popular social media platforms.

- Description: Students will create a social media campaign simulating being digital influencers who promote the importance of biodiversity preservation. Using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, the goal is to create educational and engaging content that can go viral and draw attention to ecological issues.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group will choose a social media platform to focus their campaign.

• Groups need to create a content plan, including posts, short videos, and stories that address the importance of ecology and biodiversity preservation.

• Students should use visual resources, such as images and videos, and can use editing apps available on their phones.

• At the end, each group will present their campaign to the class, explaining the strategy used and the topics addressed.

Activity 2 - ️ Gamified Ecology: Create a Sustainable Survival Game!

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Encourage critical and creative thinking, as well as understanding basic ecological concepts and the importance of sustainability through the creation of an interactive game.

- Description: Students will develop a concept for a digital game that simulates the ecology of a specific ecosystem. The goal of the game is to maintain ecological balance while facing challenges such as natural disasters and human interference, using online game development tools.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group will choose an ecosystem to simulate (e.g. tropical forest, savanna, ocean).

• Students will use free online tools like Scratch or Twine to create the game prototype.

• Groups must define the game rules, the challenges, and viable solutions to maintain ecological balance.

• Each group will present their game to the class, explaining the choices made and how players learn about ecology while playing.

Activity 3 -  Ecological Documentary: Habitat Stories!

> Duration: 60 to 70 minutes

- Objective: Stimulate research and audiovisual production skills while enhancing students' understanding of the ecological challenges faced by different habitats.

- Description: Students will produce a mini-documentary about a specific habitat, including the flora and fauna present, and the ecological challenges faced. Using their cell phones and computers, they will create a video that combines footage, interviews, and informative graphics.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Each group will choose a specific habitat to explore (e.g. coral reefs, arctic tundra, temperate forests).

• Students will research the chosen habitat, gathering information about species, ecological interactions, and threats.

• Groups will film segments that include explanations, simulated interviews, and informative graphics using tools like Canva and iMovie.

• At the end, each group will present their mini-documentary to the class, highlighting the main learnings and reflections on the importance of preserving this habitat.

Feedback

Duration: 20 to 25 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide a moment of reflection and collective evaluation, where students can consolidate the knowledge acquired, learn from each other, and receive constructive feedback. This not only reinforces understanding of the concepts discussed but also promotes social and communication skills, essential for collaborative and continuous learning.

Group Discussion

️ Group Discussion: Facilitate a collective discussion where each group shares what they learned while conducting their activities and the conclusions reached. A possible outline to introduce the discussion could include:

1. Congratulate all groups for their work.
2. Ask each group to give a brief presentation about what they produced, highlighting the most important points and key learnings.
3. Encourage the class to ask questions and comment on the presentations.
4. Facilitate the exchange of ideas, prompting students to reflect on how the different activities connect and what they teach about ecology and biodiversity preservation.

Reflections

1.  What were the main challenges encountered in the activities and how did you overcome them? 2.  How did the activities help you better understand the importance of biodiversity preservation? 3.  What new knowledge or perspectives did you gain about the basic concepts of ecology?

360° Feedback

 360° Feedback: Conduct a 360° feedback session, where each student will give and receive feedback from their group peers. Guide the class to ensure that feedback is constructive and respectful, using the "sandwich" technique: Start with a compliment, follow with a suggestion for improvement, and end with another positive point. Instruct students to address aspects such as collaboration, creativity, communication, and technical skills developed during the activity.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learnings in a light and memorable way, connecting them directly with students' reality and the modern world. This reinforces the importance of the discussed concepts, encourages practical application in daily life, and promotes a final reflection on each person's role in environmental preservation.

Summary

 Creative Summary: Imagine that ecology is a big nature reality show, where all organisms are participants trying to win the survival prize. Each species has its own role and strategies to overcome challenges such as climate, predators, and, of course, human activities. What we learned today was about the backstage of this incredible show: from the concept of population and habitat to the importance of preserving our precious ecosystems. 

World Connection

 In the Modern World: Ecology is at the center stage when we talk about current issues such as climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. With social media and information circulating rapidly, our class showed that we can use these digital tools to raise awareness and mobilize people around the world. From digital influencers to sustainable game developers, everyone can contribute to a greener and more balanced future.

Practical Application

️ Applications: Knowing the basic concepts of ecology is essential for us to make more informed and responsible decisions in our daily lives. Whether choosing sustainable products, participating in preservation campaigns, or simply understanding the importance of small gestures like saving water and recycling, ecology guides us towards a lifestyle more harmonious with the planet.