Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Time allotted: one or more 50 minute periods

Essential How does energy flow through ecosystems?

Question
Standard S.10.LS.8: use mathematical representations to support claims
for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in
an ecosystem

S.9-10.L.3: Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure

when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or
performing technical tasks attending to special cases or
exceptions defined in the text
Objective(s) 1. Students will use mathematical representations to support
claims of energy flow within an ecosystem.

2. Students will model energy flow using a virtual lab.

Materials Laptops or tablets (enough for whole class)

Procedure/Det Bell ringer: What is the difference between the three types of
ailed Agenda ecological pyramids?
1. A bell ringer question will be written on the board that reviews
information from the previous lesson concerning ecological
pyramids. When class begins, students will be given 3 minutes to
work on the bell ringer. After the 3 minutes, the teacher will
review the bell ringer, asking for student input. When the bell
ringer is finished being reviewed, students are expected to put
away their notebooks.

2. Then the teacher will explain that they will be doing an online
laboratory exercise about ecological pyramids, modeling energy
flow in ecosystems. The instructor will tell students that they will
work individually on the lab using a laptop or tablet. The teacher
will tell students that they have uploaded a video to blackboard
for student access that helps explain how to use the virtual lab.
This video will be available outside of class if students do not
finish the laboratory.

Link:
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs_2K8/pages/Mode
lEcosystems.html

4. Students will then be told to get a computer and begin

working on the lab. The instructor will advise them to watch the
instructional video prior to starting the lab. The students are
expected to work diligently on the lab and maintain relative
quiet. When they finish the lab they are to answer the journal
 questions and fill out their data table and send it to the instructor
through an email link available on the website. If students do not
finish the lab in class they will be asked to finish it for homework.

5. Closure: When there are 5 minutes left until the end of class,
the teacher will ask students to clean up. Once they are finished
they will be asked to sit back down in their seats. The teacher
will tell them that they are to write on a scrap piece of paper one
thing they are confused about concerning the topic of the lesson
and turn it in as an exit pass.

Differentiation Instead of finishing the lab for homework, time could be given in
the next class to finish the lab. Students could also work in pairs
on the lab.
Accommodatio Video explaining how to use website for students is made
ns available for students outside of class. The video can be paused
or rewatched.