Matter Cycling in Ecosystems
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment in an ecosystem
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“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?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment in an ecosystem
What to notice. 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
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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?
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment in an ecosystem
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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