7th+Grade+Ecosystems


 * Established Goals: **

 (5) Matter and energy. The student knows that interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to: (B) demonstrate and explain the cycling of matter within living systems such as in the decay of biomass in a compost bin; and (C) diagram the flow of energy through living systems, including food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids. (8) Earth and space. The student knows that natural events and human activity can impact Earth systems. The student is expected to: (A) predict and describe how different types of catastrophic events impact ecosystems such as floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes; (B) analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas; and  (C) model the effects of human activity on groundwater and surface water in a watershed. (10) Organisms and environments. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to: (A) observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms; (B) describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem; and (C) observe, record, and describe the role of ecological succession such as in a microhabitat of a garden with weeds. (11) Organisms and environments. The student knows that populations and species demonstrate variation and inherit many of their unique traits through gradual processes over many generations. The student is expected to: (A) examine organisms or their structures such as insects or leaves and use dichotomous keys for identification; and (B) explain variation within a population or species by comparing external features, behaviors, or physiology of organisms that enhance their survival such as migration, hibernation, or storage of food in a bulb <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">(12) Organisms and environments. The student knows that living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. The student is expected to: <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">(A) investigate and explain how internal structures of organisms have adaptations that allow specific functions such as gills in fish, hollow bones in birds, or xylem in plants;

**<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Enduring Understandings: ** **<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">//S// ****<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">//tudents will understand that…// **

<span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">There is a relationship between organisms and their environment (12A, 10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem interact (10A, 12A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">different environments support a variety of organisms (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">there is an interdependence among organisms in an ecosystem (12A, 11B, 10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">populations demonstrate variations in traits and unique traits are inherited over many generations (12A, 11B, 10C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">matter is not created or destroyed, but cycled through the environment (5B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">energy flows through the environment by using food chains, webs, and pyramids (5C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">ecosystems are impacted by catastrophic events (8A, 8B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">human activities impact groundwater (8C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">ecosystems are sustained by biodiversity (10B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">dichotomous keys can be used for identification (11A)

<span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Essential Questions (framed in appropriate “kid language”):

<span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What is the relationship among different components of an ecosystem? (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How do different environments support different varieties of organisms? (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Why does succession occur? (10C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How does biodiversity sustain an ecosystem? (10B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What is a dichotomous key and how is it used? (11A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How do traits differ in a population? (11B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How can you see the cycling of energy through a system? (5B, 5C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How are ecosystems impacted by events like floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes? (8A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">How does weathering, erosion, and deposition impact ecosystems? (8A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ How do humans impact the amound of clean water that can be used in a watershed? (8C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ How do adaptations help organisms perform specific functions? (12A)

//<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Students will know… //

<span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in left 1.5in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">How structural adaptations in animals allow for a specific function. (12A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">the components of an ecosystem (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">the different biomes and the types of organisms they support (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">the types and stages of succession (10C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">what characteristics are desirable to enhance an organisms chance of survival (11B, 12A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">matter is cycled through the environment (5B, 5C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">catastrophic events impact ecosystems with weathering, erosion, and deposition (8A, 8B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">availability of ground water and surface water are impacted by human activities (8C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem (10B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">how to use dichotomous keys to identify organisms such as insects or leaves (11A)

//<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Students will be able to… //

<span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">differentiate between the different biomes and the organisms they support (10A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">sequence the stages of succession (10C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">differentiate between primary and secondary succession (10C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">identify organisms using a dichotomous key (11A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">summarize what traits enable an organism to survive in their environment (11B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">demonstrate how energy is cycled by food chains, webs, and pyramids (5B, 5C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">predict how catastrophic events impact ecosystems (8A) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">analyze weathering, erosion, and deposition in Texas (8B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">model the effects of human activity in a watershed (8C) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem (10B) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.3in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .3in; text-indent: -0.3in;"> ¨ <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">explain how internal structures of an organisms have adaptations that allow specific functions (12A)