Biology Unit 2 Layered Assignments

Ecology

Alan Dewey
Wabasso High School 

OBJECTIVES

1.  Understand the terms abiotic, biotic, habitat, niche, producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, and decomposer.

2.  Explain the ways animals interact in their environment.

3.  Explain how matter and energy is transformed and transferred among organisms in an ecosystem, and how energy is dissipated as heat into the environment.

4.  Explain how ecosystems can change as a result of the introduction of one or more new species. For example: The effect of migration, localized evolution or disease organisms.

5.  Describe factors that affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem and relate these to population growth

LAYER C- BASIC UNDERSTANDING (Choose a total of 75 pts from the assignments below. 

* indicates a required assignment.  Must be present in class to earn points for notes.)

 

 Day 1- Field Trip

____ *All. Attend class field trip and do write-up on each ecosystem observed (NA, BK-10 pts). 

 Day 2- Ecology Terms

____ *1a. Complete outside vocabulary activity listing 30 things (NA, BK-5 pts).

____ 1b.   Make vocabulary flashcards for all relevant terms in the unit (VL-5 pts).

____ 1c. Make a poster illustrating the vocabulary words (VS-1 pt each, 10 pts total). 

 Day 3- Animal Interactions

____ 2a.   Make a table summarizing the types of interactions (LM, VL-5 pts).

____ 2b.  Make a poster illustrating 2 of the types of interactions (VS-5 pts).

____ 2c. With a small group, act out the types of interactions (BK, IE- 5 pts).

____ 2d. Complete section 2.1 worksheet (VL-5 pts). 

 Days 4-5 Food Webs

____ 3a.   Answer questions about food webs on the overhead (IA, LM-5 pts).

____ 3b.   Complete section 2.2 worksheet (VL-5 pts).

____ 3c.   Play one of the food web card games (BK, IE -10 pts).

____ 3d.   In groups of 4, create a skit about organisms in a food web (BK, IE-10 pts).

____ 3e.   With a partner or group, write a song about organisms in a food web (MU, IE-10 pts). 

 Day 6- Cycles/Work Day

____ 3f. Summarize all 4 cycles in your journal (VL-5 pts). 

____ 3g. In a group of 4, each person make a poster of one of the cycles.  Explain it to your group (VS- 5pts). 

 Days 7-8 Populations/Work Day

____ *4. Write a paragraph about how a fictional introduced species can change an ecosystem (VL-5 pts).

____ *5a.   Play the “Oh Deer” game and write a summary in your journal (BK, VL-10 pts). 

____ 5b.   Complete the population enrichment worksheet (LM, IA-10 pts).

____ 5c. Complete section 4.1 worksheet (VL-10 pts). 

 Day 9- Test/Work Day

____ *All. Complete practical applications test (VL-10 pts).

____ *All. Complete practice exercises and population intro activity (LM-2 pts each, 5 pts total).

____ All.   Listen to lecture and take notes each day (VL)  1    2    3    4    5

____ All. Complete end of chapter questions pgs. 63-65 #1-5, 7-8, 10-17, 23 and pgs. 111 #1, 3, 7-8, 16

       (VL-10 pts).

____ All. Secretary position- proofread and edit another student’s written assignment (VL-5 pts). 

Days 10-11- Layer B work days.

Day 12- Layer A work day

Day 13- (if needed) All assignments due.

LAYER B- APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE (10 points)

____ *1.  Construct a food web poster according to the guidelines given in class. 

 LAYER A- CRITICAL THINKING & ANALYSIS OF REAL WORLD ISSUES (15 points) 

 Using 2 resources, either write a 1 page paper or create a 6 slide powerpoint presentation exploring one of the questions below.  The last paragraph or slide should include your conclusion.

____ 1.   Are zebra mussels good or bad for the Great Lakes?  Be sure to include background information.

____ 2. Is the emerald ash borer good or bad for our ecology?  Be sure to include background information.

____ 3.   Research one endangered species on the internet and describe why it is endangered.

____ 4.   Is the world’s food supply keeping up with human population growth?

____ 5.   China has policies restricting the number of children that parents can have. Do you think the United States should have such laws? 

1.  Title of article:

Title of magazine, journal, or URL:

Author:

Date of article:

Summary: 
 
 
 

2.  Title of article:

Title of magazine, journal, or URL:

Author:

Date of article:

Summary: 
 
 
 

Total Grade:  _____ / 100  Parent/Guardian Signature:  _____________________________