Different ecosystems

• An ecosystem is an area where living and non-living things depend on each other in many different ways.
• There are many different ecosystems such as rivers, mountains, sea, rocky shore, ponds, wetlands, grasslands, forests and deserts, which support different kinds of living things.

• Greet the learners.
• Ask them if they have ever wondered what it would be like to live alone on a remote island. What would they eat?  What would they wear?  How would they build a shelter?  Who would they talk to?
• Imagine that there are no other living things on this island. How long do they think they will be able to survive?
• Allow some time for discussion of the scenario.
• Tell the learners that people, plants and animals need each other to survive.
• Living things are connected to each other; they depend on each other as well as on the non-living things in the environment.
• Ask learners if they can remember what an ecosystem is. Can they remember what they learnt about animal habitats and ecosystems in Grade 5? 
• An ecosystem is an area where living and non-living things depend on each other in many different ways.
• An ecosystem can survive on its own without help or products from any other sources.
• Show VIDEO CLIP 1: What is an ecosystem for kids  (5:52 min.).

• Ask the learners if they can remember a few different types of ecosystems: rivers, mountains, sea, rocky shores, ponds, wetlands, forests, grasslands, and deserts.
• Present an overview of ecosystems (definition of ecosystems and types of ecosystems) by using PRESENTATION 1: Ecosystems, Part 1.

An ecosystem comprises of all the living things in an area. The living things being referred here are plants and animals. These plants and animals in a given area are dependent on each other for their survival. They also depend on the environment surrounding them like availability of nutrients, water, air, etc.