Ecology and Conservation - L3 EF_LessonPlan_01: Ecosystems

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan

Date 10/14/2013

Lesson Name Ecosystems

Subject IB Biology HL

Grade Level 11

Unit Name Ecology and Conservation

Unit Essential Question: How is the state of dynamic equilibrium that exists within ecosystems essential for the continuity of life? Lesson Objective(s): Students will k now and be able to 1. define gross production, net production, and biomass 2. define producers, primary/secondary/tertiary consumers, and decomposers 3. understand a food web 4. define predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism 5. describe relationships between organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) 6. classify organisms into trophic levels and construct a pyramid of energy 7. explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels 8. explain the small biomass and low numbers of organisms in higher trophic levels

Massachusetts STE Curriculum Frameworks: Topic: Ecology Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment. Content Standard: 6.3 Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities. Scientific Inquiry Sk ills: SIS1. Mak e observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses. SIS3. Analyze and interpret results of scientific investigations. SIS4. Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations.

Key Terms/Concepts/Equations ecosystem, autotroph, heterotroph, producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, biotic, abiotic, gross production, net production, predation, parasitism, competition,

Materials (for Students & Teacher) - unlabeled food web diagram - online video explaining ecosystems - video worksheet with word blanks and short answer questions

Ecology and Conservation - L3 commensalism, mutualism gross production - respiration = net production Lesson Details Given a food web, students identify the producers, consumers, and decomposers as a Do Now activity.

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan - five different population graphs depicting clear predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism relationships

Teacher Actions - Patrol classroom - Offer assistance to students

Student Actions - Identify producers, consumers, and decomposers by writing on worksheet

Time

5 min

Teacher reviews Do Now with students.

An engaging video explaining the basics of ecosystems is played. The video is followed by a mini-lesson on ecosystems that dives deeper into the subject. In groups, students analyze population data between organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) within one ecosystem.

- Go over Do Now - Assess current knowledge - Explain producers, primary/secondary/tertiary consumers, and decomposers using energy pyramid - Provide students with worksheet to use as guide through video - Ask for clarification questions about video - Further explain energy pyramid and trophic levels using illustrations on board - Explain gross production and net production formula - Divide students into groups - Provide population graphs - Guide groups to come up with multiple hypotheses

- Offer answers - Ask questions

5 min

- Watch video - Complete worksheet - Ask questions

5 min

- Take notes - Ask questions

10 min

- Discuss patterns in population data - Form hypotheses to explain population patterns - Explain relationship between the two assigned organisms

10 min

Students explain the population pattern found in their group and present their hypotheses to class.

The lesson is summarized with a short review of the food web and energy pyramid.

- Ask for evidence from graph and previous knowledge to support student hypotheses - Provide scientific explanation and vocabulary (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) - Briefly review key terms and concepts using board illustrations - Announce homework

- Explain hypotheses to others - Use observations and data to support explanation

15 min

- Ask questions - Take notes if needed

5 min

Homework/Assessment In pairs, visit the chosen local ecosystem and observe its plants and animals. Create (with illustrations) a food web containing at least ten elements from the ecosystem and identify the producers, consumers,and

Ecology and Conservation - L3 decomposers. Possible video http://www.bozemanscience.com/047-ecosystems

Erin Tuen-Wing Fan