1. Trees and Forests – Nutrient Cycle
Grade 6 Science

2. Nutrient Cycle Nutrients in the soil are absorbed by tree roots.
Nutrients travel up the trunk to the leaves.
Leaves fall to the ground or are eaten by the consumers.
Decomposers break down dead plant or animal matter and return the nutrients to the soil, where the cycle begins again.
*Give the students a copy of Master #5 and have them write the 4 steps onto the sheet itself.

3. Questions a) Which components in your nutrient cycle are producers?
b) From which part of the cycle do they get their nutrients?
2. a) Which animals in your nutrient cycle are consumers?
3. What happens to the plants and animals when they die?
4. Why are decomposers so important in the nutrient cycle?
a) Any plants named are acceptable.
b) soil
2. a) animals
2. b) from the producers or the previous consumers
3. Decomposers break them down and remove any nutrients.
4. They return the nutrients to the soil, in order for the cycle to continue.

4. Nutrient Cycle
*Remind students that there are three types of consumers:
--herbivores (plants)
-- carnivores (animals)
-- omnivores (plants and animals)

5. Nitrogen (Nutrient) Cycle

6. Another Example