Search for Resources
Description
In this activity students learn about the impacts of releasing classroom pets, plants and aquarium plants and fish into the local environment. The exercise is meant to build awareness of how to be a responsible pet owner and to properly dispose of creatures so that they do not become an invasive species.
After an introduction to the concept of invasive species by using the additional resources and materials, the students will complete a school audit to determine the number and types of plants and animals that are in the building. The class can use the prepared sample data sheet provided or create one tailored to their needs. After the tally is completed, the class compiles the data and creates an action plan for a 'Healthy Habitat Challenge' during which students create posters or videos to display in the building or on the school's website. As a final activity the students will take the 'Don't Let It Loose' pledge.
This activity is part of the larger "The Invasive Big League and the Away Team Advantage" lesson. It includes links to related activities on the topic of invasive species as well as additional resources in the form of videos, articles and websites.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
"Play Your Part! Don't Let It Loose!" fits very well into the Science curriculum for grades 4 to 7 by supporting outcomes that deal with habitats, living things and biodiversity. The audit of classroom pets and plants could be completed as a culminating activity after a study of invasive species. The videos and posters along with the pledge tie the learning together nicely.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
- Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world.
- Investigating change and the diversity of Earth’s systems helps us to develop understandings of the conditions necessary to sustain life.
- Investigating matter and energy facilitates understandings of natural phenomena and can inspire discovery and innovation.
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Wetland Ecosystems
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Multicellular organisms rely on internal systems to survive, reproduce, and interact with their environment.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 5:Living and technological Systems: Science Literacy
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Wayfinding: Making sense of your world: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7 Earth Surface Processes: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Science 6: Multicellular organisms rely on internal systems to survive, reproduce, and interact with their environment.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 5: Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment.
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Multicellular organisms rely on internal systems to survive, reproduce, and interact with their environment.
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (4)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Habitat Loss
- Invasive Species
Land Use & Natural Resources (2)
- Habitat Restoration
- Planting Native Species
Water (1)
- Marine Environments
