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| I Spy an Ecosystem. (Accessed 2013). Uploaded by ASU Ask a Biologist. Available online at: http://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/i-spy-ecosystem |
Not having any experience with this curriculum before, I started with square one: unit one, which is Interaction with Ecosystems. I went through and organized the curriculum outcomes into four general themes which I hope to cover over the course of 4-5 weeks. Here is how I organized them:
Introduction to Ecosystems
Enduring Understanding: Ecosystems contain complex
interactions between organisms and their environment.
7-1-01 Use appropriate
vocabulary related to their investigations of interactions
within
ecosystems. Include:
ecosystem, biosphere, abiotic, biotic,
organisms, ecological succession,
photosynthesis, cellular respiration,
ecological pyramid, bioaccumulation,
scavengers, decomposers,
micro-organisms.
7-1-02 Define ecosystem, and describe various examples that range
from the
microscopic
to the entire biosphere. Include: a
place on Earth where living
things interact with other living things as
well as non-living things.
7-1-03 Identify abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems
that allow particular
organisms
to survive.
7-1-04 Define ecological succession & identify signs of
succession in a variety of
ecosystems. Include: the
natural process whereby some specific are
replaced by other species in a
predictable pattern.
Ecosystem Protection & Preservation
Enduring Understanding: Environmental, social, and
economic factors influence human relationships with ecosystems, including management and
preservation.
7-1-05 Identify & describe positive and negative examples
of human interventions
that have an impact on ecological succession or the makeup of
ecosystems.
7-1-06 Identify environmental, social, & economic factors
that should be considered
in management & preservation of ecosystems
7-1-07 Propose a course of action to protect the habitat of
particular organism within
an
ecosystem.
Matter Cycling, Food Webs &
Ecological Pyramids
Enduring Understanding: Matter and energy are cycled
naturally within an ecosystem through the relationship between producers and consumers.
7-1-08 Compare photosynthesis to cellular respiration, and
explain how both are
part of the
cycling of matter and the transfer of energy in ecosystems.
Include:
photosynthesis, cellular respiration
7-1-09 Analyze food webs, using ecological pyramids, to show
energy gained or
lost at
various consumer levels.
7-1-10 Analyze, using ecological pyramids, the implications of
the loss of producers
and consumers to the transfer of energy within an ecosystem.
7-1-11 Explain, using ecological pyramids, the potential or
bioaccumulation within
an ecosystem.
7-1-12 Provide examples of scavengers & decomposers, and
describe their role in
cycling
matter in an ecosystem.
Micro-Organisms & Humans
Enduring Understanding: Knowledge and understanding of
micro-organisms have improved food production and preservation techniques, as well as ease of human consumption.
7-1-14 Identify beneficial & harmful roles played by
micro-organisms
7-1-15 Research & describe human food production or
preservation techniques that
apply a
knowledge of micro-organisms.
______________________________________________________________
In addition to hard-copy resources I have available in the school and from colleagues, I also started to organize some online resources to supplement our classroom activities. If you happen to be following along with me on Twitter you have probably noticed how excited I've been about some of the neat things I've been finding! Not wanting to keep all the fun to myself, I wanted to share them with all of you! Here are the resources I found, organized by the themes I stated above. For each one I've included the title, a very brief point about what it includes, and the link.
Introduction to Ecosystems
National Geographic - Ecosystems Education
- Articles, activities, colouring pages,
etc
University of Alberta Biology Department - Ecosystem Labeling Interactive
- Biotic, abiotic, mimicry, producer,
consumer, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism
Ecosystem Sampling Outdoor Activity
- Biotic and abiotic components
Ecosystems Rap Song
- Abiotic, biotic, niche, limiting factors,
adaptation, mutualism, commensalism,
parasitism
- Review activity
- Good copy Music Video available at:
- Lyrics available at:
Web of Life Interactive Game
- Abiotic, biotic, human interference,
preservation/protection
- Good lead up to next section
Preservation/Protection
- Wildlife management, special conservation
areas
- Provincially relevant
“Partner Interview” Review Activity
- Negative effects, positive effects, protected
habitats, management, endangered
species
Matter
Cycling
Sheppard Software - Food Chain Game
- Simple, large, marine, mixed, full, human
intervention
Sheppard Software - Matter Cycling Info
- Producers/Consumers, food chain, bigger
chains, photosynthesis, decomposers
BrainPop - Food Fight Game
- Make food pyramids
- Educators Support Document
“Candle in a Jar” Photosynthesis
Candle/Plant in Jar
- Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Micro-Organisms
Food Safety Music - “Microbes They Might
Kill You” - “We Are The Microbes”
- Queen Song Parody
Micro-organisms - Environmental Literacy
Council
- Environment, humans, negatives
Love Your Gut Activity Book
- Bacteria, fungi, viruses, good effects,
bad effects
______________________________________________________________
I hope you find these resources as awesome as I do! If there is something you think I should add to my list let me know, I'd love to hear about the awesome things you are using with your class :)
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