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Grade 4, Chapter 3
Ecosystems
Summary
An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things in an environment and how
they interact. A population is all the organisms of one species that live in an
ecosystem. Different populations work together to form a community. A habitat
is where an organism lives within an ecosystem. A niche is what an organism
eats, how it gets its food, and the other organisms that use it for food. The Sun is
the main energy source for plants to make food. Plants are producers. Consumers
include herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The energy that producers store
moves through a food chain. Food chains overlap to form food webs.
Activate Prior Knowledge
Provide background for students by
previewing the book. Discuss the text
features and preview the key vocabulary
and concepts.
Vocabulary
carnivores, community, decomposers,
ecosystem, herbivores, niche, omnivores,
population
Comprehension Skill: Sequence
Tell students that when they read about
different food chains, it is important to
pay attention to the order in which things
happen in the process of decay.
During Reading
Think Critically
Have students answer the What Did You
Learn? questions located on the inside back
cover of their book.
1. What are some living things in an
ecosystem? What are some nonliving
things? Living—animals, plants, fungi,
protists, and bacteria. Nonliving—air,
water, soil, sun, climate, and landforms.
2. What is the major source of energy
for life on Earth? The Sun is the major
source of energy for life on Earth.
Leveled Reader Teacher’s Guide
3. Why are decomposers important in an
ecosystem? Without decomposers plants
couldn’t get the nutrients they need from
the soil. Decomposers break down the
plant and animal remains into minerals
and nutrients. These are then put back
into the water, air, and soil.
After Reading
Writing in Science
Food webs are made of several food chains.
Look at the food web on pages 18 and 19.
Describe on your paper how the energy
moves through a food web. Use examples
from the book to support your answer.
Organize Information
Graphic Organizer: Sequence Have
students complete the Sequence chart on the
BLM for this Leveled Reader to describe
the process of decay.
Related Resources
Vocabulary Cards
Every Student Learns
Activity Flipchart
Graphic Organizer Transparencies
Quick Activity Transparency
www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
Equipment Kit
LabZone
Quick Study
Grade 4 Chapter 3 Below-Level
© Pearson Education, Inc.
Before Reading
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____________________________________
Name _______________________________
Ecosystems
Write your answers.
1. Name five kinds of ecosystems. Which is the driest?
Five ecosystems are desert, tundra, forest, tropical rainforest, and
grassland. The desert is the driest ecosystem.
2. Describe how habitat, population, and community are related.
A population is all the organisms of one species that live in a
habitat. Different populations make up a community.
3. What are some adaptations that help animals live in their habitats?
Possible answer: Herbivores have flat teeth for tearing leaves.
Carnivores have sharp teeth for eating their prey.
4. Describe the steps involved in the process of decay. Use the
graphic organizer to help you.
Possible answer:
Sequence
First
Scavengers eat parts of dead organisms.
Then
© Pearson Education, Inc.
Decomposers break down dead organisms.
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Finally
The broken down organisms return nutrients and
minerals to the ecosystem.