Sketch an Ecosystem

• Science and art
• 3rd Grade

Sketch an Ecosystem

Remember!

An ecosystem is made of all the living things and nonliving things in an area. 

Living things need things like food, water, and sunlight to live. Which of these is a living thing?

1. Dirt
2. Grass
3. Sunlight
4. Stones

Look outside. What living things do you see? List 4 living things.

Nonliving things do not live and die like plants and animals. They do not need food or water or sunlight.
Which of these is a nonliving thing?

1. Bunny
2. Fish
3. Cloud
4. Flower

Look outside again. What are some things you see that are not alive? Only count things that are part of nature. List 3 things.

Your Ecosystem

Think of all the things you just wrote. Any animals you see and all the bugs, plants, rocks, clouds, and dirt are part of the ecosystem where you live. 

Now...

Let's explore some more examples of ecosystems!

Let's Draw an Ecosystem!

 You will need to draw your ecosystem with a foreground, a middle ground, and a background like the teacher does.    

Foreground

Put your hand up close to your face and say "foreground."

(It sounds like "4 ground")

The foreground is what is close to you, so things in the foreground look the biggest in your drawing.

Middle Ground

Put your hand farther away from your face and say, "middle ground."

The middle ground is a little farther away than the foreground. So, things you draw in the middle ground will look a little bit smaller, just like your hand looks a little smaller when you move it away from your face.

Background

Now look out a window as far as you can see. What do you see?  Mountains? Buildings that are far away? 

Point to the farthest things you can see and say "background."

Things you draw in the background section will be the smallest to make them look very far away.

Watch closely!

Watch the video on the next slide. The teacher will show you how to make a drawing with a foreground, a middle ground, and a background.

Now you try it!

 1. Don't draw buildings, only things in nature please.

 2. Choose an ecosystem picture from this lesson or choose to make a drawing based on the ecosystem you live in.

3. Don't mix and match ecosystems in your drawing.

4. Get some paper, a pencil, and an eraser. 

 Go to the next slide when you are ready.

Lightly draw three lines

to divide the foreground, the middle ground, the background, and the sky.

Choose an ecosystem and draw.

Draw at least 6 different living things and 3 nonliving things in the ecosystem.

Include both plants and animals in the ecosystem.

Remember! Things in the foreground are the biggest. Things in the background are the smallest. Watch the video again if you need help.

Check your drawing. Did you stick to one ecosystem in your drawing? If you drew things that don't belong in the ecosystem, erase them.

Nice work! Did you draw both plants and animals? Keep drawing until you have both.

Great Job! What 6 (or more) living things did you draw? Keep drawing if you don't have 6 living things yet.
Write them on the back of your paper, too!

Did you draw things bigger in the foreground, smaller in the middle ground, and smallest in the background? Erase and keep drawing if you need to.

What 3 (or more) nonliving things did you draw? Keep drawing if you don't have 3 nonliving things yet.
Write them on the back of your paper too!

Reflect on Learning
What is something you learned today? And what challenged you today?

Awesome Possum!

Great work today! 

Write your name on the back of your drawing.

Bring your drawing to class by Friday.