Sixth Grade - Environmental Education Resources

Please contact our Education Coordinator if you would have a program idea you would like developed, and we will work to accommodate your request.

Sixth Grade Educational Resources (sorted by topic)

1) Homeostasis in Ecosystems

Students playing boardgame

This activity is for in-classroom use and will require printing and assembly before use. Assembly could be incorporated as an in-class activity. A pre-assembled kit can be requested to borrow for classroom use. Alternatively, our Environmental Educator can visit your classroom to lead the activity and present a customized PowerPoint lecture.

The links below include the suggested lesson plan aligned with state and national science standards, worksheets with suggested answer keys, and printable components of the board game.

Homeostasis in Ecosystems Lesson Plan
Homeostasis in Ecosystems Game Worksheet
Homeostasis in Ecosystems Worksheet Version 1 – less difficult version
Homeostasis in Ecosystems Worksheet Version 2 -more difficult version
Homeostasis Game Boards – 36in by 36in
Homeostasis Game Cards

Indiana State Science Standards:

6-LS-1. Investigate and describe how homeostasis is maintained as living things seek out their basic needs of food, water, shelter, space, and air.
6-LS-3. Describe specific relationships (predator/prey, consumer/producer, and parasite/host) and symbiotic relationships between organisms. Construct an explanation that predicts why patterns of interactions develop between organisms in an ecosystem.
6-LS-4. Investigate and use data to explain how changes in biotic and abiotic components in a given habitat can be beneficial or detrimental to native plants and animals.

2) Survive the Winter

The links below include the board game rule book which includes pre- and post- questions for students to consider during the game. The game aligns with state and national science standards for 4th – 6th grade curriculums. The remaining links are the printable components of the game.

Surviving the Winter Rulebook
Survive the Winter Game Board – 18in by 18in
Survive the Winter Game Board Players
Survive the Winter Game Cards

Indiana Science Standards:

4.LS.2 Use evidence to support the explanation that a change in the environment may result in a plant or animal will survive and reproduce, move to a new location, or die.
5.LS.1Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
5.LS.2 Observe and classify common Indiana organisms as producers, consumers, decomposers, or predator and prey based on their relationships and interactions with other organisms in their ecosystem.
6.LS.4Investigate and use data to explain how changes in biotic and abiotic components in a given habitat can be beneficial or detrimental to native plants and animals.

3. Who Lives in Indiana? (video 9:27): Click on the title to access the video on our Youtube channel

Watch our “Who Lives in Indiana” video on our Youtube page to learn about native Indiana animals, their habitats, food chains, and more. After watching, complete the activities below. All instructions are included in the lesson plan. Please email Erica at elforstater@bsu.edu to request worksheet answer keys.

Click here to access videos and photos of native Indiana wildlife captured in Muncie, Indiana. These resources are used for the above activities.

Indiana State Science Standards:

5.LS.2 Observe and classify common Indiana organisms as producers, consumers, decomposers, or predator and prey based on their relationships and interactions with other organisms in their ecosystem.
6.LS.3 Describe specific relationships (predator/prey, consumer/producer, parasite/host) and symbiotic relationships between organisms. Construct an explanation that predicts why patterns of interactions develop between organisms in an ecosystem.