Description

Lesson overview: This activity uses a set of jigsaw puzzles (printed on laminated paper) to review species interactions and the role of fire in 3 forest ecosystems of the northern Rocky Mountains and the North Cascades (dominated by ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine/subalpine fir, and whitebark pine/subalpine fir). The activity can be done in 2 ways (at least): as a classroom “grab-bag” competition among student teams, or as a quiet activity to be done singly or in small groups at stations.

Lesson Goal: Students can distinguish characteristics of 3 forest ecosystems and integrate information on fire behavior, fire history, and species’ adaptations to fire in each ecosystem.

Objective: Given a set of puzzle pieces with photographs and text as clues...

• Students can recognize some of the species and fire behavior patterns that are associated with 3 different forest ecosystems.
• Students can assemble jigsaw puzzles that represent the fire ecology of the 3 ecosystems.