Many mushrooms growing on the ground and on a tree in a forest

Mushrooms and Decomposers (Food Web)

Grade 5

This lesson focuses on two main ideas:

Why mushrooms and fungi are important to the environment
What decomposers are and how do they fit into a food web

Procedure

INTRODUCTION (15 minutes)

Read the introduction to students and review new vocabulary. Students will watch the “Outdoors Maryland - Episode 2611” video. After the video, have a discussion around the essential questions and thinking questions aligned to the topic and video. Discuss the career connections related to mushrooms and decomposers with students.

EXTENSION (15-30 minutes)

Complete extension activities with students, as you see fit.

ASSESSMENT (15 minutes)

Have students apply their newfound knowledge by completing a Summative CER on the lesson using evidence from the video and activities as support.

REFLECTION (10 minutes)

Have students complete a reflection.

Standards

NGSS Performance Expectation

5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

Developing and Using Models
Modeling in 3–5 builds on K–2 models and progresses to building and revising simple models and using models to represent events and design solutions.
- Develop a model to describe phenomena.
Connections to Nature of Science
Science Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena
- Science explanations describe the mechanisms for natural events.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plants parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met. A healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. Newly introduced species can damage the balance of an ecosystem.
LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
- Matter cycles between the air and soil and among plants, animals, and microbes as these organisms live and die. Organisms obtain gases, and water, from the environment, and release waste matter (gas, liquid, or solid) back into the environment.
Crosscutting Concepts
Systems and System Models
- A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.

Maryland Environmental Literacy Standard

Standard 2
Human Dependence on Earth Systems and Natural Resources:
Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of how Earth’s systems and natural resources support human existence.

Summative CER

Option 1:

Construct an explanation describing why mushrooms are an important part of food webs and the environment. Use evidence and reasoning from the videos and activities to support your response.

Option 2:

Plants need soil nutrients in order to grow and survive. Construct an explanation describing where those nutrients come from. Use evidence and reasoning from the videos and activities to support your response.

Reflection Questions

Why are mushrooms, fungi, and other decomposers important in food webs and the environment?
What are decomposers and where do they fit into food web models?

Summative CER Rubric

Scoring Rubric Components	No Response Score Point 0	Not There Yet Score Point 0.5	Beginning To Score Point 0.75	Yes Score Point 1.0
CLAIM	The claim is missing.	The claim is incorrect or irrelevant.	The claim partially takes a position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt.	The claim takes an appropriate position on the topic or issue addressed within the prompt.
EVIDENCE	There is no type of evidence in the response.	The evidence is irrelevant or does not support the claim.	The evidence partially supports the claim and demonstrates some understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources.	The evidence supports the claim and demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic or text, using appropriate sources.
REASONING	There is no use of words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.	Use of words, phrases and clauses fail to show or explain any relationship between the claim and evidence.	Scientific words, phrases, and clauses used lack cohesion but partially clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.	Appropriate scientific words, phrases, and clauses are used to create cohesion and to clarify the relationship between the claim and evidence.