Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understanding the Concept of Ecological Pyramids: Students should be able to define and explain what ecological pyramids are, identifying the different trophic levels and how energy flows through them. This understanding should include the ability to differentiate between energy, biomass, and numbers pyramids.

2. Interpretation of Ecological Pyramids: Students should be able to interpret ecological pyramids, either through graphs or diagrams, identifying the relationship between different trophic levels and the amount of energy, biomass, or number of organisms. They should be able to explain what these pyramids reveal about the function and structure of an ecosystem.

3. Application of the Concept of Ecological Pyramids: Finally, students should be able to apply their knowledge of ecological pyramids to analyze and discuss real or hypothetical scenarios. They should be able to predict how changes in one trophic level can affect others, and how this can influence the stability and sustainability of an ecosystem.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Concepts: The teacher should start the lesson by reviewing the concepts of food chains and webs, as well as the different trophic levels in an ecosystem. This can be done through a quick classroom discussion or with the help of visual diagrams. (3 - 5 minutes)

2. Problem-Solving Situations: Next, the teacher should present two problem-solving situations to arouse students' interest and introduce the topic of the lesson. The questions could be:

   • "If the rabbit population in a forest doubled, what do you think would happen to the populations of other animals, such as wolves and eagles, that feed on rabbits?"
   • "How does solar energy transform into chemical energy in plants and then transfer to the animals that eat them? How can we represent this energy transfer on a graph?" (4 - 6 minutes)

3. Contextualization: The teacher should then contextualize the importance of ecological pyramids, explaining that these graphs and diagrams are vital tools for scientists to understand ecosystem dynamics and predict how they may respond to changes, such as the introduction or removal of a species. Furthermore, ecological pyramids are an effective way to visualize the energy efficiency in an ecosystem and the interdependence of living beings. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. Introduction to the Topic: Finally, the teacher should introduce the topic of ecological pyramids, explaining that they are a way to represent the trophic structure and energy efficiency of an ecosystem. The teacher can present two curiosities to spark students' curiosity:

   • "Did you know that most ecological pyramids have an inverted pyramid shape, with biomass and energy usually decreasing as you move up the food chain?"
   • "And did you know that, although humans are at the top of many food chains, they have very low energy efficiency because we use so much energy in our daily activities?" (5 - 7 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Ecological Pyramid Construction Activity (10 - 15 minutes):

   • Materials Needed: Cutouts of images of different organisms (plants, herbivores, carnivores, decomposers), cardboard, colored pens, glue, ruler.
   • Procedure: Students, divided into groups, will receive the necessary materials to build an ecological pyramid. They should start by drawing a pyramid on the cardboard. Then, they should glue the images of organisms at different trophic levels of the pyramid, according to the food chain they built. They should also use colored pens to indicate the different trophic levels and the direction of energy transfer.
   • Objective: This activity aims to allow students to visualize and better understand the concept of ecological pyramids as they build a three-dimensional ecological pyramid.

2. Data Analysis Activity (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Materials Needed: Energy, biomass, and numbers ecological pyramids in graph format, paper, and pen.
   • Procedure: Each group of students will receive a different ecological pyramid (energy, biomass, or numbers) in graph format. They should analyze the graph and identify the different trophic levels, the direction of energy transfer, and the amount of energy, biomass, or number of organisms at each level. They should also discuss what this pyramid reveals about the structure and function of the ecosystem in question.
   • Objective: This activity aims to develop students' ability to interpret and analyze ecological pyramids, and to explain what these graphs reveal about the dynamics and energy efficiency of an ecosystem.

3. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Procedure: After completing the group activities, students will participate in a classroom discussion. Each group will be invited to share their conclusions and explain how they applied the concept of ecological pyramids in the activities. The teacher should guide the discussion, asking questions to deepen students' understanding and to help them make connections with real-world situations.
   • Objective: This discussion aims to reinforce students' learning, allowing them to express their ideas and clarify any doubts they may have. Furthermore, group discussion promotes collaboration and critical thinking among students.

Return (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Procedure: The teacher should gather all students for a group discussion. Each group will have up to 3 minutes to share their conclusions and solutions from the activities carried out. During each group's presentation, other students will be encouraged to ask questions and make comments, promoting an environment of active and collaborative learning.
   • Objective: Group discussion allows students to share their different perspectives and approaches to solving the activities. Additionally, it reinforces students' ability to communicate and express their ideas clearly and coherently.

2. Connection with Theory (2 - 3 minutes):

   • Procedure: After the group discussion, the teacher should provide a brief summary of the main ideas and concepts discussed, connecting them with the theory presented at the beginning of the lesson. For example, the teacher can highlight how the activity of building the ecological pyramid helped visualize the trophic structure of an ecosystem, and how the data analysis activity allowed interpreting the relationships between different trophic levels.
   • Objective: This moment of reflection helps students consolidate their learning from the lesson, relating practice to theory. Furthermore, it allows the teacher to identify possible gaps in students' understanding, which can be addressed in future lessons.

3. Self-Assessment (2 - 3 minutes):

   • Procedure: The teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they learned in the lesson. For this, the teacher can ask questions like: "What was the most important concept you learned today?" and "What questions have not been answered yet?" Students will have a minute to think and then will be invited to share their answers with the class.
   • Objective: Self-assessment helps students become more aware of their own learning process. Additionally, it provides valuable feedback to the teacher about the effectiveness of their teaching strategies and the learning needs of students.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Content Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should start the Conclusion by recalling the main points covered in the lesson. This includes the definition of ecological pyramids, the different types (energy, biomass, numbers), and how to interpret and analyze these pyramids. The teacher can briefly review the activities carried out and the group discussions to reinforce these concepts.

2. Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes): Next, the teacher should explain how the lesson connected theory and practice. The teacher can highlight how building ecological pyramids helped visualize theoretical concepts, and how analyzing the graphs allowed applying these concepts to real situations. The teacher should emphasize the importance of understanding and applying this knowledge to comprehend ecosystem dynamics.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute): The teacher should suggest additional study materials for students who wish to deepen their understanding of ecological pyramids. This may include biology books, scientific articles, online educational videos, or interactive ecology games. For example, the teacher can suggest the BBC documentary "Planet Earth," which explores biodiversity and ecological interactions in different habitats around the world.

4. Application in Daily Life (1 - 2 minutes): Finally, the teacher should explain the relevance of the topic to students' daily lives. For example, the teacher can discuss how understanding ecological pyramids can help comprehend and predict the effects of human activities on ecosystems, and the importance of conserving biodiversity to maintain ecosystem stability and sustainability. The teacher can also mention how energy efficiency, a central concept of ecological pyramids, is relevant for energy conservation and environmental sustainability.