Name of Teacher Candidate: Emily Devereaux

Grade Level: 9th

Lesson Title: Ecological Issues Research Project

Curriculum Areas Addressed: Biology

Time Required: 2 class periods for research and 1 class period for presentations.

Standards:
SB5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to assess the interdependence of all
organisms on one another and their environment
a. Plan and carry out investigations and analyze data to support explanations about factors
affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems. (Clarification statement: Factors include
population size, carrying capacity, response to limiting factors, and keystone species.
 Arranging components of a food web according to energy flow.
 Comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid.
c. Construct an argument to predict the impact of environmental change on the stability of
an ecosystem.
d. Design a solution to reduce the impact of a human activity on the environment.
(Clarification statement: Human activities may include chemical use, natural resources
consumption, introduction of non-native species, greenhouse gas production.)

As a result of this lesson students will know… and/or be able to do…

Learning Objectives:
Construct an argument to predict the impact of environment change on an ecosystem
Design solution to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment
Organize organisms into different trophic levels
Create food webs and energy pyramids that accurately depict interactions between
organisms
Support for Academic Language
Vocabulary: Ecosystem, trophic level, primary producer, primary consumer, secondary
consumer, tertiary consumer, population, carrying capacity, keystone species, food web, food
pyramid, energy pyramid, limiting factors, invasive species, biomass, biotic, abiotic

Assessment
Assessment Strategy:
Students will be assessed on their presentations (see attachment L5 rubric).

Steps in the Lesson

Opening:
 Warm Up: Students will answer the following question in their lab notebook:
 What is an ecological issue that is currently affecting you?
 Hook: I will describe examples of ecological issues that directly affect the students.
 Introduction: I will present the students with an example before they are paired off
and begin their research in the computer lab.

Work Session Instructional Strategies:

 Students will work in pairs to complete a research presentation on an ecosystem
facing an ecological issue (see attachment: L5 ecological issue research project).
Closure:
The ticket out of the door for day 3: Write a one-page letter to the governing body of any
ecosystem that was presented on, proposing a solution the problem described. Provide
evidence explaining your reasoning. Write your letter in your lab notebook.
Instructional Supports
Resources and Materials Used to Engage Students in Learning
Appropriate research sites online.

Additional Resources and Materials Used to Increase Teacher’s Background Knowledge of

the Content:
https://www.mrgscience.com/42-energy-flow.html
https://www2.nau.edu/lrm22/lessons/food_chain/food_chain.html

Other Relevant Information

Clear Links to Learning Theories, Educational Research, and Principles of Development:
Research Strategies
Cooperative learning
This lesson acts as a summary for all of the information learned in the previous four lessons.
Direct instruction
Public speaking