Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Energy and Matter Name: Jessica Wada

Content Area: Biology Grade Level: 9th and some 10th
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: interactions, energy, and dynamics

HS-LS2-3: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic
conditions.
HS-LS2-4: Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an
ecosystem
HS-LS2-5: Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

The purpose of this unit is to teach students about energy flow and matter cycles through ecosystems.

Essential Question: How do energy and matter move through life on earth?
 Unit Question 1: How does energy move through plants and animals?
 Content Question 1: What is the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in energy flow?
 Content Question 2: Where does energy come from and what happens to it as it flows through a system?
 Unit Question 2: How does matter move through plants and animals?
 Content Question 1: What is the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the Carbon Cycle?
 Content Question 2: What do the different trophic levels of matter look like?

Student Learning Objectives:

1. Independently, students will explain the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, define the roles of photosynthesis and cellular
respiration in ecosystems, and identify the processes within the different trophic levels.
2. When given the major components of an ecosystem, students will create two separate diagrams detailing the energy flow and matter
(Carbon) cycle within components of an ecosystem with 80% accuracy, identifying the locations of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in
each.
3. In small groups, students will evaluate each others’ diagrams to determine which shows the most accurate representation and justify their
reasoning to their peers and the teacher.
Unit Summary:

The purpose of this unit is to teach students about energy flow and the cycle of matter through ecosystems. It will address the essential
question, “How do energy and matter move through life on earth?” Students will learn about photosynthesis, cellular respiration, energy
flow, trophic levels, and four major biogeochemical cycles. By the end of this unit, students will be able to define the roles of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration in ecosystems and identify where the processes take place within them. Students will create two
graphic organizers to visually represent energy flow and the Carbon cycle, identifying the locations of photosynthesis and cellular
respiration on the diagrams. Students will grow in their online research skills by completing a Webercise activity. Students will also
develop better communication and collaboration skills by working in small groups to create new collaborative diagrams. They will
evaluate other diagrams and justify their reasoning for why their new diagrams accurately portray the ecosystems in a miniature
presentation.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Kahoot.it survey
(Includes a bit of free write on a half-
sheet of paper)
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective:
Independently, students will explain the
processes of photosynthesis and cellular
respiration, define the roles of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration in
ecosystems, and identify the processes
within the different trophic levels.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective:
When given the major components of an
ecosystem, students will create two
separate diagrams detailing the energy
flow and matter (Carbon) cycle within
Formative:
Summative:
1. Worksheet on food chains/webs
1. Final group graphic organizers
2. Short essay on photosynthesis
2. Evaluation forms for self and group
3. Short essay on cellular respiration
members
4. Individual diagram of carbon cycle
3. A unit test
5. Individual diagram of energy flow
Lesson Activities:
Acceptable Evidence:
 Teacher lectures on energy and matter in ecosystems. Energy sub-
 Completed
topics include photosynthesis, cellular respiration, trophic levels,
worksheet
food chains and webs, and ecological pyramids. Matter sub-topics
 Short essay on
include the water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles.
photosynthesis
 Students read textbook chapters on energy and matter in ecosystems
 Short essay on
(should be an entire unit in a standard high school biology book).
cellular respiration
 Students complete a food web/chain worksheet.
Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
 Webercise questions Webercise: Students do research on the given websites, then answer several
 Individual diagram questions. One section deals with energy subtopics like biomagnification and
of carbon cycle the other deals with the Carbon cycle. After answering the questions,
 Individual diagram students create their own diagrams of energy and matter in ecosystems to
components of an ecosystem with 80% of energy flow organize the information visually for themselves and clarify any confusion
accuracy, identifying the locations of they may have.
photosynthesis and cellular respiration in
each.

Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)

Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
In small groups, students will evaluate  Final group  Discussion groups where students evaluate each other’s diagrams
each other’s diagrams to determine diagrams and discuss which elements to use in group diagram
which shows the most accurate  Mini-presentation  Work on group graphic organizers (rubric provided)
representation and justify their reasoning  Evaluation Forms  Mini-presentations explaining graphic organizers to classmates
to their peers and the teacher.  Unit test

Unit Resources:
http://www.livebinders.com/edit/index/2386175?tabid=524297e3-42a4-44fc-b0a7-679c2f04a67f#
Key/password: Energy&Matter

Useful Websites:
http://www.livebinders.com/edit/index/2386175?tabid=524297e3-42a4-44fc-b0a7-679c2f04a67f#
Key/password: Energy&Matter