Unit 1 Ecology Unit 2 Biodiversity Unit 3 Earth’s Systems Unit 4 Earth and Human Activity I Unit 5 Earth and Human Activity II 6 3 weeks 3 weeks 6 9 weeks 9 weeks The Overarching Question(s) Why is biodiversity important? What positive and negative effects do people have on biodiversity? What can be done to protect biodiversity? DCI, Standard, Explanations, Misconceptions Length [8 days] Essential Questions, Learning Outcomes, Phenomena 3-Dimensional Instructional Approach (SEPs and CCCs) Vocabulary and Curricular Materials DCI EVSC.LS4: Biological Change: Unity and Diversity Standard EVSC.LS4.3 Evaluate the impact of habitat fragmentation and destruction, invasive species, overharvesting, pollution, and climate change on biodiversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem). EVSC.LS4.4 Engage in argument from scientific evidence critiquing effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act. Give specific examples to support your argument. Explanation Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species (speciation) and decreased by the loss of species (extinction). Biological extinction, being irreversible, is a critical factor in reducing the planet’s natural capital. Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also Essential Questions What causes extinction and what are its impacts? What role do humans play in the loss of species and ecosystem services? How can we sustain wild species and ecosystem services? Learning Outcomes Describe the causes of extinction and its part in Earth’s history. Understand how species may be classified as endangered or threatened. Describe how extinction threatens Earth’s natural capital. Describe how human population growth and activities lead to habitat fragmentation and increase wild species extinctions. Understand how invasive species disrupt ecosystems. Science and Engineering Practices 7. Engaging in argument from evidence 8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information Cross-Cutting Concepts 2. Cause and effect 7. Stability and change Vocabulary Endangered Species, Threatening Species, Bioprospector, Habitat Fragmentation, Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification, Endangered Species Act, Seed Bank, Botanical Garden, Arboretum, Egg Pulling, Captive Breeding Lessons Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World – Chapter 7 Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World, Page 214 – Question 6 Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World, Page 225 – Question 5 Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World, Page 232 – Question 5 Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World – Stem Activity, Page 235 Videos
Length [7 days] DCI EVSC.ETS3: Applications of Science EVSC.LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics Standard EVSC.ETS3.1 Plan and carry out an investigation of a local ecosystem to assess human impacts. Based on your findings, design and evaluate a solution to minimize impacts. Explanation Ecosystems are complex, interactive systems that include both biological communities (biotic) and physical (abiotic) components of the environment. As with individual organisms, a hierarchal structure exists; groups of the same organisms (species) form populations, different populations interact to form communities, communities live within an ecosystem, and all of the ecosystems on Earth make up the biosphere. Organisms grow, reproduce, and perpetuate their species by obtaining necessary resources through interdependent relationships with other organisms and the physical environment. These same interactions can facilitate or restrain growth and enhance or limit the size of populations, maintaining the balance between available resources and those who consume them. Misconceptions Students may think varying the population size of a species may not affect an ecosystem because some Essential Questions How are our ecological footprints affecting Earth? What can we do to minimalize adverse human effects on local ecosystems? Learning Outcomes Describe the concept of sustainability and its significance to environmental science. Understand the link between ecosystem services and natural resources. Recognize some major environmental problems that lead to natural capital degradation. Describe the purpose of the ecological footprint. Assess how ecosystems can be affected by the human population. Phenomenon Threatened and Endangered Species of Tennessee View the following article. The students will read and discuss the afore mentioned article on river ecosystems in Tennessee. Have students develop questions from the text and create an assessment from the article. Science and Engineering Practices 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions Cross-Cutting Concepts 2. Cause and effect 4. Systems and System Models 5. Energy and matter 6. Structure and function 7. Stability and Change Vocabulary Ecosystem, Natural Resource, Inexhaustible Resource, Renewable Resource, Nonrenewable Resource, Ecological Footprint Lessons Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World – Page 24 Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World – Chapter 8 Threatened and endangered species of Tennessee Wolf River Conservancy Activities/Performance Tasks Investigating Local Ecosystems Local Ecosystem Brainstorm EXPLORE THE ECOSYSTEM HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR ECOSYSTEM?
extremes in lengths of the seasons and day and night are an intriguing introduction to misunderstood scientific concepts. Research has long documented that people of all ages – elementary school children, college students, and adults – cannot explain the cause of day and night or seasons. While the prevalence of these misconceptions, as well as the complexity of the subject, makes it unlikely that students will leave elementary school with a complete and correct understanding, it is important to assess, target, and challenge these misconceptions even in the early years. The following resources can be used to analyze and dispel these misconceptions. Satellite Blocks our Star View the following picture. This video clip from the BBC will show how a certain part of the planet viewed a total solar eclipse back in 2015. The location of the viewpoint is from the Faroe Islands and the body covering the sun is not identified as the moon (allowing open discussion of its identity). Even though it shows a complete solar eclipse, students will notice that the star is not completely shut out. Resources: Activities/Performance Tasks Reasons for the Seasons on Modeling the Seasons Seasons Scavenger Hunt