Education Standards
Invaders! Presentation
Invaders!
Overview
This lesson aims to teach students about invasive species, native species, and non-native species. The lesson also covers the potential damages that an invasive species can cause to an ecosystem.
In partnership with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the legislature-funded ClimeTime program, the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment has created the Climate Literacy Fellows program.
Invaders! Lesson Overview
Lesson Title: Invaders!
Grade Level: 5th-6th Grade
Disciplinary Area: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Duration: 45 minutes
Big Question:
What is an invasive species and why are they dangerous to ecosystems they are not native to?
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn the difference between a native species, invasive species, and non-native species.
- Students will learn how a changing climate impacts ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them.
- Students will learn how to identify invasive species in their region and ways they can help prevent the spread of invasives.
Key Terms:
Invasive Species, Native Species, Nonnative Species, Climate Change
Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards
- MS-LS2-2: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
Materials:
| Material: | Link for Purchasing: |
| Game Board | Included in Lesson PDF |
| Game Pieces | Mice Game Pieces, Rabbit Game Pieces |
| Expo Markers | Pack of Markers |
| Score Card | Included in Lesson PDF |
| Dice | Dice |
Authors: Grant Plotner, Gonzaga Class of 2023
Revised by Holly Fijolek, Gonzaga Class of 2025