Forest Whisperers: Digital Stories of Ecosystems
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Forest Whisperers: Digital Stories of Ecosystems

Grade 5Social Studies1 days
In the "Forest Whisperers: Digital Stories of Ecosystems" project, fifth-grade students engage in creating digital stories that explore the complex interactions within various forest ecosystems. The project utilizes an inquiry framework prompting students to investigate forest characteristics, plant-animal interdependence, human impacts, and cultural significance. Through virtual tours, research, and digital tools, students develop presentations and stories that reflect their learning about ecosystems, incorporating scientific, cultural, and conservation insights. The project aims to enhance students’ understanding of ecological interdependence and storytelling skills while promoting awareness of environmental stewardship.
EcosystemsInterdependenceDigital StorytellingHuman ImpactCultural SignificanceEnvironmental Conservation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as young storytellers, create engaging digital stories that explore the complex interactions within different forest ecosystems, highlighting their unique characteristics, the interdependence of plants and animals, and the human impact on these crucial environments?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What characteristics define different forest ecosystems?
  • How do the plants and animals in a forest ecosystem depend on each other?
  • What is the human impact on forest ecosystems and how can we mitigate it?
  • How do climate and geography influence the types of forests found in various regions?
  • What role do forests play in our global environment?
  • How have human cultures historically depended on and altered forest ecosystems?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will define and describe the key characteristics of different forest ecosystems, using digital storytelling as a medium to present their findings.
  • Students will analyze the interdependence of plants and animals within forest ecosystems, demonstrating understanding through their narratives.
  • Students will evaluate the human impact on forest ecosystems, proposing ways to mitigate negative effects in their digital stories.
  • Students will explore the influence of climate and geography on the distribution and characteristics of forests globally.
  • Students will investigate the cultural and historical relationships between humans and forests, integrating these perspectives into their stories.
  • Students will develop skills in using digital tools and technologies to communicate complex environmental concepts creatively.

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework

D2.Geo.4.3-5
Primary
Explain how culture plays a role in the formation of human characteristics of places.Reason: Digital stories about forest ecosystems can explore historical and cultural interactions with forest types, especially focusing on how different cultures perceive and utilize forest resources.
D2.Geo.12.3-5
Primary
Explain how natural and human-made changes to the environment in one place can cause changes in other places.Reason: Understanding the interdependence of natural and human systems in forest ecosystems aligns directly with this project, as students explore human impact and propose mitigation strategies.
D2.Geo.3.3-5
Secondary
Use geographic tools and technologies to pose and answer questions about spatial distributions and patterns on Earth.Reason: The project involves analyzing different forest ecosystems across various geographic regions, utilizing tools and technologies.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

NGSS.5-ESS3-1
Supporting
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.Reason: Students investigate forest ecosystems and human impacts, discussing conservation and protection strategies, aligning with the NGSS focus on community action.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Forest Mystery

Students are introduced to the project with a virtual reality tour of various forest types around the world. During the tour, they discover 'mystery spots' within each forest that contain clues and riddles about the unique features and stories of the ecosystem.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Forest Ecosystem Detective

Students will begin their journey by investigating the various forest ecosystems. This activity focuses on identifying the characteristics of different forests such as tropical, temperate, and boreal forests using geographic tools and virtual tours.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to different forest types using a virtual tour as an entry event.
2. Have students select one type of forest to focus on and guide them in research using digital and print resources.
3. Instruct students to collect images, videos, and information highlighting the key characteristics of their chosen forest.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation showcasing the main characteristics of a chosen forest type.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.3.3-5 (Using geographic tools and technologies to answer questions about spatial distributions).
Activity 2

Interdependence Web Designers

In this activity, students dive deeper into how plants and animals within a forest ecosystem rely on each other. They will create an interactive web to model these relationships.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Guide students to choose plants and animals specific to their selected forest.
2. Research how these species interact and depend on one another within the ecosystem.
3. Create an interactive digital web that represents these interdependencies, utilizing online tools.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn interactive digital web of plant and animal interdependencies in a forest ecosystem.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.12.3-5 (Explaining the interdependence within natural systems).
Activity 3

Human Impact Explorers

Students will explore how human activities impact forest ecosystems and brainstorm solutions to mitigate these effects, ultimately creating a part of their digital story on conservation and change.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss the various ways humans negatively and positively impact forests (e.g., deforestation, conservation efforts).
2. Have students research specific human actions that affect their chosen forest ecosystem.
3. Students will create a storyboard that depicts both the impact and possible ways to mitigate these negative effects using conservation strategies.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA storyboard illustrating human impacts and mitigation strategies in forest ecosystems.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.5-ESS3-1 (Using science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment).
Activity 4

Forest Cultural Curators

In this activity, students explore and present the historical and cultural significance of their chosen forest. They uncover how different human cultures have historically interacted with and altered these ecosystems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to the cultural significance of forests, highlighting examples of historical interactions.
2. Research cultural stories, practices, and modifications related to their selected forest type.
3. Create a digital presentation or exhibit showcasing the cultural aspects of forest ecosystems.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA digital exhibit highlighting the cultural and historical connections humans have with forests.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Geo.4.3-5 (Explaining cultural roles in human characteristics of places).
Activity 5

Digital Forest Storytellers

The culminating activity where students compile all their findings and creations into a cohesive digital story, effectively communicating their learning journey and insights about forest ecosystems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Guide students to outline their digital story, incorporating all elements from previous activities (ecosystem characteristics, interdependence, human impact, cultural aspects).
2. Utilize digital storytelling tools and multimedia to create engaging narratives.
3. Encourage peer review sessions for feedback and revision.
4. Facilitate a final presentation day for students to showcase their stories to the class or community.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive digital story about forest ecosystems, integrating scientific, cultural, and conservation insights.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with multiple standards including D2.Geo.4.3-5, D2.Geo.12.3-5, and NGSS.5-ESS3-1, as it brings together cultural, interdependent, and human impact aspects with creative communication skills.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Forest Ecosystem Digital Storytelling Rubric

Category 1

Content Understanding and Analysis

Assesses students' grasp of forest ecosystems, including characteristics, interdependencies, human impacts, and cultural significance.
Criterion 1

Forest Characteristics

Evaluates students' understanding of the specific characteristics of their chosen forest, such as types of flora and fauna and their roles in the ecosystem.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows comprehensive understanding of forest characteristics, clearly details unique features and their ecological roles with thorough evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough understanding of forest characteristics and provides details on unique features and ecological roles.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding of forest characteristics with limited details on features and roles.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal understanding of forest characteristics with few or no details provided.

Criterion 2

Interdependence Analysis

Assesses students’ ability to analyze and represent the interdependence of plants and animals within the forest ecosystem.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates superior analysis of interdependence using an interactive web with accurate and detailed relationships between species.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively analyzes interdependence with a clear and mostly accurate interactive web of species relationships.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic analysis of interdependence with some inaccuracies in species relationships.

Beginning
1 Points

Attempts to analyze interdependence but lacks clarity and accuracy in species relationships.

Criterion 3

Human Impact and Mitigation

Evaluates students' exploration of human impacts on forests and proposed mitigation strategies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an insightful exploration of human impacts with innovative mitigation strategies and clear connections to conservation.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a solid exploration of human impacts with feasible mitigation strategies and good conservation connections.

Developing
2 Points

Explores some human impacts but with limited mitigation strategies and unclear conservation connections.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal exploration of human impacts with few or no mitigation strategies.

Criterion 4

Cultural and Historical Connections

Assesses students' understanding and presentation of the cultural significance and historical connections of forest ecosystems.

Exemplary
4 Points

Excellently showcases cultural significance and historical connections with diverse, well-researched examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly presents cultural significance and historical connections using well-chosen examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic presentation of cultural significance with limited examples and details.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides minimal cultural and historical connections with vague or incorrect examples.

Category 2

Creativity and Communication

Evaluates students’ creativity and effectiveness in communicating ideas through digital storytelling.
Criterion 1

Creative Storytelling

Measures the originality and engagement of the digital story, including narrative structure and use of media.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity with a compelling, well-structured narrative using innovative multimedia elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows solid creativity with a clear, engaging narrative and effective use of media.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a basic narrative with limited originality and use of media.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal creativity in narrative with ineffective or absent multimedia elements.

Criterion 2

Communication and Presentation

Assesses clarity, organization, and effectiveness of the digital presentation in communicating the project’s insights.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents ideas clearly and logically with a highly organized and visually appealing presentation.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates ideas effectively with a well-organized and visually clear presentation.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates ideas with some clarity but lacks consistency in organization and visual appeal.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays confused communication, poor organization, and lacks visual coherency.

Category 3

Technological Proficiency

Assesses the effective use of digital tools and technologies in creating the digital story.
Criterion 1

Digital Tool Integration

Measures how well students utilize digital tools to enhance their storytelling and present complex information.

Exemplary
4 Points

Skillfully integrates multiple digital tools to create an innovative, detailed, and engaging digital story.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively uses digital tools to create a cohesive and informative digital story.

Developing
2 Points

Uses some digital tools with basic integration but lacks cohesion and depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with using digital tools, resulting in a disjointed and incomplete digital story.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how creating a digital story about forest ecosystems has changed your understanding of the interdependence within these environments.

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much has your understanding of the cultural significance of forests improved?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the human impact on forests?

Text
Optional
Question 4

Which aspect of forest ecosystems did you enjoy exploring the most and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Characteristics of different forests
Interdependence of plants and animals
Human impact and conservation strategies
Cultural and historical aspects
Question 5

Reflect on the skills you developed while working with digital storytelling tools during the project.

Text
Required