Buckets of Benefits
Activity - Classroom
Grades3, 4, 5Science, English Language Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by EPA
What it is
- This resource is an engaging activity where students make analogies between common items and ecosystem services.
- Working in groups or individually, students will have a group of items or cards they will use to fill out the included worksheet.
Teaching tips
Positives
- It is a hands-on and engaging way of getting the students to appreciate the benefits of ecosystems.
Prerequisites
- Provide background information about ecosystems and the benefits of nature before doing this activity.
- The activity can be performed using either actual buckets of materials or handouts; the educator should decide on this beforehand.
- The enviroatlas link may not work, so teachers will have to provide their own examples.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This activity can be used during a school event or club meeting to create awareness about ecosystem services and the benefits of nature.
- Science classes could incorporate this activity into lessons about biomes, ecosystems, producers and consumers, food webs, plants, or habitats.
- Check out these Environmental Education Group Games and Activities for other engaging ways to teach about ecosystems.
From the scientist review
The resource provides a good scope for students to identify site-specific ecosystem services and interrelate the benefits they have for humans. This is recommended for teaching.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on epa.gov
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
