ScienceEcosystems & HabitatsAges 10–11
Matter Cycling in Ecosystems
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment in an ecosystem
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
No reviewed resources for this concept yet.
The teaching approach above still stands. Curated practice links will appear here as the shelf fills.
Explore the learning path
5 before · 1 after
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Before
This concept
Matter Cycling in EcosystemsConceptual concept
Next
Check understanding
- Describe the role of decomposers (fungi, bacteria, worms) in breaking down dead matter
- Trace the movement of matter: plant grows using soil nutrients → animal eats plant → animal dies → decomposers return nutrients to soil
- Create or interpret a simple diagram showing matter cycling through an ecosystem
“Can your child explain what happens to a fallen leaf on the forest floor — how tiny organisms break it down and the nutrients go back into the soil to help new plants grow?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Ecosystems & Habitats
- Age range
- Ages 10–11
Standards
ngss-k5:5-LS2-1