Unit 1/5/15-1/9/15
Standards:
NGSS HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
NGSS HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity
Objective:
Students will use mathematical representations to support factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems.
Students will be able to illustrate relationships among early and how those relationships are modified due to human activity.
Anticipatory Set: 1/5/15 and finished on 1/7/15
7 Billion and Counting Slide Show
https://populationeducation.org/sites/default/files/resource_files/US_Graphics_2013.pdf
https://populationeducation.org/sites/default/files/resource_files/W7B_Graphics.pdf
Students were shown the 7 Billion and Counting slide show. Students took notes on the graphs and the statistics within the graph.
The focus of the unit is population size and impacts that it can have on an ecosystem. First students were shown the objective which was written on the board. Then during the slideshow questions about ability for sustainability at current population size and resource consumption were used to emphasize the objective. Students completed a homework from the textbook that inquired about population size, resource consumption and sustainability. The two lab activities included a focus on counting population sizes. One lab activity investigated population size of invasive species and the other investigated population size of indicator species. During and after the lab activities, a focus on the importance of why conduct a population count. The quiz was the formal assessment on the unit.
Population Count via Quadrat Technique
Invasive Species (1/6/15) Quadrat Technique Worksheet
Students took a field trip to a local field near by school. Students used the quadrat technique to estimate the population sizes of various invasive species within the grasses on the field. After estimating population sizes, students discussed if there was a prevalence of invasive species in the field and impacts on local ecosystems.
Indicator Species (1/8/15) Counting Populations Worksheet
In the classroom, students counted populations of lichen. Lichen is an indicator species. As an indicator species, lichen numbers indicate the health of the ecosystem around it. High lichen counts indicate a healthy ecosystem. However when lichen species populations decline it is a good indication that the ecosystem is changing. After the population count, a discussion was hosted about the impacts of population size and surrounding ecosystems. It was discussed the presence of invasive species on the native ecosystem. It was discussed the presence or lack of presence of an indicator species on the ecosystem. It was discussed the various resources that are needed to maintain a species population. Finally, it was discussed the impact of a large human population on the Earth’s ecosystem.
Independent Practice:
Students answered questions 1-10 out of the book on page 135. Questions included defining related scientific vocabulary such as population growth, carrying capacity and other terms related to populations and ecosystems. The questions also made students think about population size, available resources within the ecosystem and sustainability.
Assessment: 1/9/15
Formal summative assessment (quiz) (32 questions total) out of 30 points
2 part quiz
Part 1: Answer questions related to graphs from powerpoint. Example, who is the largest user of freshwater? A slide showing statistics of various countries use of freshwater was shown.
Part 2: Questions regarding both labs and questions from homework were on the quiz.
Standards:
NGSS HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
NGSS HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity
Objective:
Students will use mathematical representations to support factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems.
Students will be able to illustrate relationships among early and how those relationships are modified due to human activity.
Anticipatory Set: 1/5/15 and finished on 1/7/15
7 Billion and Counting Slide Show
https://populationeducation.org/sites/default/files/resource_files/US_Graphics_2013.pdf
https://populationeducation.org/sites/default/files/resource_files/W7B_Graphics.pdf
Students were shown the 7 Billion and Counting slide show. Students took notes on the graphs and the statistics within the graph.
The focus of the unit is population size and impacts that it can have on an ecosystem. First students were shown the objective which was written on the board. Then during the slideshow questions about ability for sustainability at current population size and resource consumption were used to emphasize the objective. Students completed a homework from the textbook that inquired about population size, resource consumption and sustainability. The two lab activities included a focus on counting population sizes. One lab activity investigated population size of invasive species and the other investigated population size of indicator species. During and after the lab activities, a focus on the importance of why conduct a population count. The quiz was the formal assessment on the unit.
Population Count via Quadrat Technique
Invasive Species (1/6/15) Quadrat Technique Worksheet
Students took a field trip to a local field near by school. Students used the quadrat technique to estimate the population sizes of various invasive species within the grasses on the field. After estimating population sizes, students discussed if there was a prevalence of invasive species in the field and impacts on local ecosystems.
Indicator Species (1/8/15) Counting Populations Worksheet
In the classroom, students counted populations of lichen. Lichen is an indicator species. As an indicator species, lichen numbers indicate the health of the ecosystem around it. High lichen counts indicate a healthy ecosystem. However when lichen species populations decline it is a good indication that the ecosystem is changing. After the population count, a discussion was hosted about the impacts of population size and surrounding ecosystems. It was discussed the presence of invasive species on the native ecosystem. It was discussed the presence or lack of presence of an indicator species on the ecosystem. It was discussed the various resources that are needed to maintain a species population. Finally, it was discussed the impact of a large human population on the Earth’s ecosystem.
Independent Practice:
Students answered questions 1-10 out of the book on page 135. Questions included defining related scientific vocabulary such as population growth, carrying capacity and other terms related to populations and ecosystems. The questions also made students think about population size, available resources within the ecosystem and sustainability.
Assessment: 1/9/15
Formal summative assessment (quiz) (32 questions total) out of 30 points
2 part quiz
Part 1: Answer questions related to graphs from powerpoint. Example, who is the largest user of freshwater? A slide showing statistics of various countries use of freshwater was shown.
Part 2: Questions regarding both labs and questions from homework were on the quiz.
quadrat_technique_worksheet.pdf |
counting_population_of_lichen_(1).pdf |