Matter and Ecosystems | 8 Lessons, Case Cards & a Project | Grade 5

Matter and Ecosystems is a science unit for Grade 5 with 33 pages of classroom material and a separate 13-page teacher guide. Students use particle models to explain properties of matter, measure before and after changes, separate mixtures, and then follow matter through plants, food webs and decomposers. It is written for fifth grade teachers who want a self-contained NGSS-style unit with explanations, supported practice and reasoning cases.

The unit has eight lessons with the same three pages each: an explanation page, a practice page with explanation, and a case card. The first four lessons cover properties of matter, particles too small to see, measuring before and after, and mixtures and separation. Lessons 5 to 7 move to how plants obtain matter, food webs, and decomposers and cycling. The last lesson looks at system change and evidence. A food-web model page on reading arrow direction, two vocabulary pages, a learning check and a short project with a reflection page complete the unit.

What's Included

• Classroom Material: 33 pages (PDF, print edition)
• Teacher Guide: 13 pages (PDF) with answers, case guidance and assessment feedback
• Editable DOCX text editions of the classroom material and the teacher guide
• Presentation with 17 slides (PPTX)
• Original illustrations and model diagrams; the PDF is the print reference and DOCX line breaks may differ
• A food-web model page

The 8 Lessons

• Lesson 1: Matter has properties – Describing matter by its properties.
• Lesson 2: Particles too small to see – Using particle models for what cannot be seen.
• Lesson 3: Measure before and after – Measuring to check what changes and what stays the same.
• Lesson 4: Mixtures and separation – Working with mixtures and ways to separate them.
• Lesson 5: Plants obtain matter – Tracing where plants get the matter they use.
• Lesson 6: Food webs – Reading and building food webs.
• Lesson 7: Decomposers and cycling – Following matter through decomposers and cycles.
• Lesson 8: System change and evidence – Using evidence to explain change in a system.

Students Will Learn To

• Describe matter by its properties and explain it with particle models
• Measure before and after a change to compare amounts
• Describe mixtures and ways to separate them
• Read a food web and the direction of its arrows
• Explain how decomposers return matter to a cycle

Perfect For

• Grade 5 science teachers who need a closed unit on matter and ecosystems
• Teachers who want students to argue from evidence rather than memorize terms
• Classes that need a clear sequence from particle models to food webs
• Homeschool families looking for printable lessons with a separate answer guide
• UK and Australia: roughly Year 6

Why Teachers Choose This Unit

• Each lesson follows the same explanation, practice and case card pattern, so students know what to expect
• A food-web model page focuses on reading arrow direction, a common point of confusion
• Physical and life science sit in one unit, so matter can be followed from particles to ecosystems
• The teacher guide has a teaching concept, sequence and preparation notes, answers for all eight lessons, an assessment key with feedback, and a differentiation and observation chapter
• Editable DOCX text editions allow you to adapt wording for your class

Every resource is built around the curriculum you teach – and if something doesn't fit your standards, the TeachLessons Guarantee applies: we adapt it for you.

Created with AI assistance. Texts and illustrations were generated with AI support and edited for classroom use; sources and production notes are at the end of the teacher guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which standards does this fit?

The content is closest to NGSS 5-PS1 (structure and properties of matter), 5-LS1 (matter and energy in organisms) and 5-LS2 (ecosystems). No alignment or endorsement is claimed.

Are answers included?

Yes. The separate 13-page teacher guide has answers and teaching notes for all eight lessons and an assessment key with feedback.

How long does the unit take?

The material does not state a duration. Plan by lesson: each has three pages, and you can use the lessons in order or choose the ones you need.

What does the food-web page cover?

The unit includes a food-web model page that asks students to read arrow direction. Lesson 6 covers food webs and Lesson 7 covers decomposers and cycling.