Unit 5: Ecosystems
Standard: Analyzes the organization of living things within an ecosystem
Targets Prior to each assessment, be sure to complete your self evaluation so you focus on weaker areas most.
PowerPoint on What is an ecosystem?
What is an ecosystem? (1:55): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPHqUxxyLsY
Learning Target 1: Matter and energy move through ecosystems. All energy within an ecosystem originates from the sun and flows through the ecosystem.
Success Criteria:
6-1a Develop a model which demonstrates how matter (carbon) is transferred through producers, consumers and decomposers.
6-1b Modify a model to demonstrate how energy flows through ecosystems starting with the sun.
6-1c Modify the model in order to give examples of how organisms are dependent on their environmental interactions both living and nonliving things (biotic and abiotic).
6-1d Use model to explain the interaction between organisms and between organisms and their available resources.
(Use the terms producers, consumers, decomposers, abiotic, and biotic.)
How abiotic and biotic factors make an ecosystem (5:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdlwPtKg-VI
Abiotic Biotic Song by Mr. Parr (3:45): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQO5x8Q3e8g
Create a Venn Diagram using biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem: http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/venn_diagrams/
Online 10 question Quiz: https://www.quia.com/quiz/244317.html
Biotic vs. Abiotic Sheet
6-1e Use the model to describe the conservation of matter.
PowerPoint #1
Powerpoint #2
Producers and Consumers: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep9.htm
Herbivores and Carnivores: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep10.htm
Decomposers and Scavengers: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep11.htm
"Decomposers, down under" video (3:04): http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.oate.decompose/decomposers/
PowerPoint on The Role of Decomposers in an Ecosystem
Decomposers and Scavengers video (14:46): http://video.nhptv.org/video/1491195223/
What is a scavenger [skav-in-jer]? (noun) an animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter
www.sheppardsoftware.com - Play the food chain game; producer, consumer, and decomposer game; and the animal diet game.
Energy Pyramid (8:16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CReZd9OHEfs
Activity: Students will use DNR posters to identify and describe examples of populations and communities according to the various ecosystems.
United Streaming video clip on Populations & Communities (2:19): http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=communities+and+populations Define/review vocabulary terms: http://quizlet.com/884273/flashcards
population, communities, and ecosystems defined
DeWitt Nature Center MAP
Phylo card game, like pokemon, but real animals: http://phylogame.org/cards/page/5/
www.nationalgeographic.com
One of the coolest websites, all-time: http://htwins.net/scale2/
Bill Nye: The Science Guy - Biodiversity (22:58): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65pqsW2EzU0&t=475s
Population, Community, Ecosystem (2:22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIfpKL0brwQ
Organism, Population, Community: What is the difference? (6:53): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClLHcSXzRos
Ecosystems, Populations, and Habitats (5:47): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLFMMNp3kHQ
Antarctic Animal Adaptations: http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/antarctic_animal_adaptations.htm
Plant & Animal Adaptations & behaviors BBC Nature: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations
Interactive Animal Adaptations: http://interactivesites.weebly.com/animal-adaptations.html
Celebrating the Animal Kingdom: http://exzooberance.com/
Animal Adaptations Webquest Take this Webquest to learn more about the animals in this world.
Food Chains: http://www.sparticl.org/topic/food-chain/?utm_content=3277193703&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Sparticl%20Launch%20Campaign&utm_term=the%20food%20chain
Food Chains: http://www.brainpop.co.uk/science/variationclassificationandevolution/foodchains/
Energy Pyramid - Energy Flow in Ecosystem (2:56): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De_53QflEXQ
Producers, Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary Consumers(8:16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CReZd9OHEfs
National Wildlife Federation website - loaded with animals and articles about wildlife: http://www.nwf.org/Home/Wildlife.aspx
Learning Target 2: Organisms and populations of organisms depend on interactions with other living things and with nonliving factors.
Success Criteria:
6-2a Describe ways in which organisms interact with one another using the words predator/prey, symbiosis, competition, parasite/host, mutualism and commensalism.
Quizziz Practice: https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5cb738b3f7fac8001a504151/animal-relationships
6-2b Construct an explanation that predicts how organisms will interact with the living and non-living parts of an ecosystem.
6-2c Identify a limiting resource and explain how it affects a population of organisms.
6-2d Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms within an ecosystem.
Symbiotic Relationship(s) PowerPoint: Parasitism, Commensalism, Mutualism
Mutualistic Relationship - Gobi fish and shrimp (0:52): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKuWlBjUFo8
Has video clips that explain each relationship: http://www.vtaide.com/png/symbiosis.htm
Symbiotic Relationship Cartoon Assignment Frames (animal or other) with blank conversation clouds
Great clip on Predator vs. Prey, plus more (8:25): http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/predator-vs-prey-video
Symbiosis: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism (5:16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmL2F1t81Q
Ecosystem Organization
Learning Target 3: Changes to ecosystems can lead to shifts in populations of plants and animals.
Success Criteria:
6-3a Identify different factors or conditions that may lead to the change in population size within an ecosystem,
including food supply, temperature, rainfall, disease, invasive species, human development, etc.
6-3b Construct an argument based on evidence that changes to an ecosystem can lead to shifts in populations.
Read article on Human, natural, limiting factors on population: http://www.nhptv.org/wild/population.asp
Rabbits and Wolves Population simulator: http://shodor.org/interactivate/activities/RabbitsAndWolves/
Factors that affect the growth of Natural Population (begin at 0:50; go to 7:28): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR_ulvjsCY8
Introduction of wolves changed plant/animal populations in Yellowstone National Park (4:33): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q
Endangered Species, Population Data: http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/endangered-species/endangered-species-population-numbers/3596
Provides population statistics on endangered animals: http://www.care2.com/news/category/animals/population%20increase
Fox Adaptations: http://www.worldanimalfoundation.net/f/fox.pdf
Invasive Species:
What are invasive species? (5 min) http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-an-invasive-species-definition-list-effects.html
Invasive Species - the basics (6:15) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIgysZ5Hho8
Little Things, Big Problems - Aquatic Invaders (6:38): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDx0tN8hUBE
Is this invasive plant a threat to MI’s wildlife? phragmites (4:08) http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/is-this-invasive-plant-a-threat-to-michigans-wildlife_2015120102055959
Invasive Species Mug Shot Photos: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/areas/greatlakes/explore/invasive-species-infographic.jpg
Aquatic Invasive Species:
High Stakes of the Great Lakes - Invasive Species (3:24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3N5t70aJ2A
Zebra Mussels (2:37): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abImqGDzXBo
Sea Lamphrey http://www.glfc.org/sealamp/ http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/downloads/x106.pdf (2:57): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JQ6oHjpeqU
Gobi Fish (2:57): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeqgjvGC6qs
Eurasian Watermilfoil (1:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnTK6FqGkYY
Fish-hook Waterflea (2:43): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yDuwqkTu6Q
Eurasian Ruffe (1:58): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPs8prKyfvI
Purple Loosestrife (2:59): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YnxhK0oC5I
Silent Invaders, Asian Carp 2013 (2:57): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soRQFVYrjOI
Other Invasive Species invading Michigan:
Mute Swan; DNR article :http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_59132---,00.html
Why are mute swans a problem? (document) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/MuteSwanFacts_final_366761_7.pdf
Mute Swan Problems (2:10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWKf2K8YGNw
Kid's Discover Magazine on ECOLOGY Part 1 (p. 1 - 15) Part 2 (p. 16 - 20) Questions
Review for targets 1-3 KEY
Learning Target 4: Biodiversity affects humans and humans affect biodiversity.
Success Criteria:
6-4a List factors of biodiversity used to measure the health of an ecosystem
6-4b Identify human activities that destroy ecosystems, like developing land, deforestations, filling wetlands, overhunting, etc.
6-4c Identify human activities (such as ecosystem services) that benefit ecosystems (such as prevention of soil erosion, nutrient recycling and water purification).
6-4d Identify how changes in biodiversity can affect humans’ resources
6-4e Evaluate design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Habitat Destruction (3:09): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfSPl6upbl8
Habitat Destruction (12:40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKnOd92O2lc
Habitat Destruction(3:49): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_-bPc4uM7c
Environment in France - The plastic trap (8:22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecaLUIeNSY4&list=PL763C401B64F6CAF3
Threats to Biodiversity (3:07): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhRBqeuG1Jc&list=PL763C401B64F6CAF3
Invasive Species: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep15.htm
Endangered Plants and Animals:
Kirtland's Warbler Article
Kirtland’s Warbler (3:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guXdDc5XrFY
Monarch Butterfly
spotted turtle
trillium
Wetlands: Fabulous Wetlands with Bill Nye (6:50): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeUPbGWg2KU
What are Wetlands? (4:38): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7GDEkz6ctU
Wetlands Have Real Important Jobs to Do music video (3:28): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdTMqYW3QwY
Wetlands and Erosion: http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module12/WetlandsandErosion.htm
Carbon Footprint Calculator (from EPA): https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/
How clean is YOUR air? Real-time interactive map shows the pollution engulfing Earth; Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3986672/How-clean-air-Real-time-interactive-map-shows-pollution-engulfing-Earth-real-time.html
LIVE STREAM Trade Wind Flow Impact: https://airvisual.com/earth
Species Extinction (9:17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxmTZ02FXg
Planet Earth - The Resources (5:37): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRbvbPzYFXs
Pollution (3:29): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAbOVeKYgjU
Bill Nye on Renewable energy (3:07): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grI3BDSGEC4
Bill Nye on Making his House Energy Efficient (5:47): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5s1ia50-aw
Carbon Footprint Calculator (from EPA): https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Ecology Review: http://regentsprep.org/Regents/biology/units/ecology/index.cfm
Unit Vocabulary: Blank Copy KEY
ecosystem
population
community
producer
consumer
decomposer
biotic
abiotic
competition
parasitism
symbiosis
predator
prey
mutualism
commensalism
biodiversity
Social Studies Connection (suggested by Mrs. Maxwell)
Try the website, "Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants" - learn a lot from biologists out in the field
Other Info:
www.harcourtschool.com
Go to...learning site
Go to... science click on the pictures
Under “The Learning Site,” arrow down to Michigan and press the GO button
Click on 6 (for 6th grade)
Scroll down to Unit B: Interactions in Ecosystems, chapter 4: Exploring Ecosystems
This takes you through 3 VERY different ecosystems w/ pictures, diagrams, tables, maps, etc.... Don't forget to click on the underlined blue words to get even more info! :)
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Predator/Prey Relationship:
25 Incredible Camouflaged Animals (4:56): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpdoDBYuHIA
Amazing Animal Chameleon Change Colors (1:40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXgaiT0Ju_c
Anole Facts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blXmYtPXrQ4
Save our Anole Activity
www.froguts.com Great dissection tools!
Bird Sound Identification: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/sounds
Photosynthesis:
"The Photosynthesis Song" (3:49):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aupr9qT2qgc
Photosynthesis for Kids - How plants make food - Animation Science (2:58): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xeYNnzwpSE
Photosynthesis with Bill Nye (2:28): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgkuT12e14
WATER Cycle
Presentation - The Water Cycle Presentation: http://www.rrojas.com/5/science/earthscience/watercycle
Presentation - Thirst and Earth's need for water: http://www.rrojas.com/5/science/earthscience/thirstpresentation
E-Review - Water on Earth and the Water Cycle: http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/grade5/g5_ch4.html
Diagram - Animated Diagram on the water cycle: http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/watercycle/index.html
Interactive - Water Cycle Exploration (Discovery Education): http://player.discoveryeducation.com/views/hhView.cfm?guidAssetId=087777c8-4ff0-45d2-878f-e7cd90f7ee19
Science up Close - The Water Cycle: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/508/deploy/interface.html
Game - Droplet and Water Cycle Game: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/droplet.html
Interactive - The Water Cycle Interactive: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/groundwater/watercycle.htm
Science Up Close - How Precipitation Forms: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/408_ca/deploy/interface.html
Science in Motion - Water Flow to the Ocean
http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/scienceinmotion/Common/SIM.html?Module=../Grade5/Chapter4-MountainWaterFlow/
E-Review - Freshwater Resources: http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/grade5/g5_ch4_ls3_ereview.html
Science Up Close - Groundwater Pollution: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/517/deploy/interface.html
Science for Kids - Water: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/index.html
Video - Lakes, Rivers, and Underground Water: http://player.discoveryeducation.com/views/hh_httpView.cfm?guidAssetId=4df7436f-8a50-45b3-9781-c7f38d919dff
Who wants a FRONT SEAT to viewing nature at it's finest?
Check out these LIVE animal cams by clicking on the links for the BEST seat in the house!!!!
Bald Eagle in Hanover, Pennsylvania: https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/bald-eagle-live-cam
Bald Eagle in Washington DC: http://www.dceaglecam.org/
Osprey in Savannah, Georgia: http://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/great-horned-owl-cam
Red Tailed Hawk in San Diego, California: http://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/red-tail-hawk-cam
Great Horned Owl, in Charlo, MT : http://explore.org/live-cams/player/great-horned-owl-cam
Humming Bird Nest, in LaVerne, California: http://explore.org/live-cams/player/bella-hummingbird-nest
Penguins, in Monterey Bay, California: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-experiences/live-web-cams/splash-zone-penguin-cam
Sloths, in Atlanta Georgia: http://www.mylivestreams.com/webcam/zoo-atlanta-live-sloths-animal-webcam-atlanta-georgia/11357.html
Honey Bees, Bavaria, Germany: http://explore.org/live-cams/player/honey-bee-hive-cam
Fruit Bats, in Bloomfield Hills, MI: http://explore.org/live-cams/player/organization-for-bat-conservation-fruit-bat-cam
Katie Grzesiak, Coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network, DeWitt Public School Alumna, a fantastic classroom resource - http://natureiscalling.org/people/katie-grzesiak/