Life Science: Ecosystems!!!
Learning Goals of the unit:
5 - Describe and compare processes that take place within organisms that require energy.
5 - Explain ways organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem.
4 - Explain how changes in an organism’s environment are sometimes beneficial to its survival and sometimes harmful and give specific examples.
4 - Give examples of ways fossils can be compared to one another and to present-day organisms according to their similarities and differences.
Final Project:
Ohio Ecosystem Impact Proposal Summit
Ohio ecosystems have changed in many ways over the past decades. Humans have introduced new species. Animals have been forced out of their habitats. Ecosystems have been destroyed by chemicals. There are many reasons for the changes, but all of these changes have impacted the living beings around us.
As a consumer in Ohio’s ecosystem you should be very concerned about the things that impact the systems around you. Become knowledgeable of the parts of Ohio’s ecosystems. What keeps them running smoothly? What happens when a part is disrupted? What changes have occurred in Ohio ecosystems? What issues are currently threatening Ohio’s ecosystems? What can you do as a citizen of Ohio to improve the situation?
Do a research study to learn what effective ecosystems look like and how they work. Then research what the fossils tell us about Ohio’s past ecosystems. Find out what has changed and try to determine why those changes have occurred. What is happening today that you can have a positive impact on?
Create a presentation on an important issue affecting Ohio’s ecosystems. Describe the problems and or positive impacts of that issue. Tell what we can do as citizens to improve the ecosystem. Create a presentation and physical display to convince others to join in the fight to help improve the ecosystem impacted. Present your pitch during the Norwich Ecological Summit!
There will be more details to come...
5 - Describe and compare processes that take place within organisms that require energy.
5 - Explain ways organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem.
4 - Explain how changes in an organism’s environment are sometimes beneficial to its survival and sometimes harmful and give specific examples.
4 - Give examples of ways fossils can be compared to one another and to present-day organisms according to their similarities and differences.
Final Project:
Ohio Ecosystem Impact Proposal Summit
Ohio ecosystems have changed in many ways over the past decades. Humans have introduced new species. Animals have been forced out of their habitats. Ecosystems have been destroyed by chemicals. There are many reasons for the changes, but all of these changes have impacted the living beings around us.
As a consumer in Ohio’s ecosystem you should be very concerned about the things that impact the systems around you. Become knowledgeable of the parts of Ohio’s ecosystems. What keeps them running smoothly? What happens when a part is disrupted? What changes have occurred in Ohio ecosystems? What issues are currently threatening Ohio’s ecosystems? What can you do as a citizen of Ohio to improve the situation?
Do a research study to learn what effective ecosystems look like and how they work. Then research what the fossils tell us about Ohio’s past ecosystems. Find out what has changed and try to determine why those changes have occurred. What is happening today that you can have a positive impact on?
Create a presentation on an important issue affecting Ohio’s ecosystems. Describe the problems and or positive impacts of that issue. Tell what we can do as citizens to improve the ecosystem. Create a presentation and physical display to convince others to join in the fight to help improve the ecosystem impacted. Present your pitch during the Norwich Ecological Summit!
There will be more details to come...
Yellowstone Park Skype Resources:
Visit these websites to learn more about Yellowstone Park. We will be Skyping with a ranger on Wednesday, May 9!!
Resources and Issues:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/resources-and-issues.htm
Live streaming of the Old Faithful Geyser:
https://www.nps.gov/features/yell/webcam/oldFaithfulStreaming.html
Old Faithful Visitor Center:
https://www.nps.gov/features/yell/ofvec/index2.htm
Resources and Issues:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/resources-and-issues.htm
Live streaming of the Old Faithful Geyser:
https://www.nps.gov/features/yell/webcam/oldFaithfulStreaming.html
Old Faithful Visitor Center:
https://www.nps.gov/features/yell/ofvec/index2.htm
Resources:
1. Ecosystem Vocabulary Quizlet/flashcards
https://quizlet.com/9954382/5th-grade-life-scienceecosystem-vocabulary-flash-cards/
2. Ask a Biologist about ecosystems.
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/i-spy-ecosystem
3. Understanding Ecosystems Video
https://youtu.be/bJEToQ49Yjc
4. Food Chains and Webs - Crash Course
https://youtu.be/CZhE2p46vJk
5. Food Chain - Energy Flow
https://youtu.be/MuKs9o1s8h8
6. The Water Cycle - Biosphere
https://youtu.be/o_bbQ0m3wuM
7. Living Things Change
https://youtu.be/xDSFlRunlrU
8. Food Webs
https://youtu.be/Vtb3I8Vzlfg?list=PLhz12vamHOnZv8kM6Xo6AbluwIIVpulio
9. Wildlife Ohio Timeline
http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/42/documents/wildlife%20Ohio%20history%20timeline.pdf
10. 4th Grade Changing Ecosystems Webpage
http://fourthgradeba.weebly.com/changing-ecosystems.html
11. Ohio Department of Natural Resources
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/
12. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
http://epa.ohio.gov/home.aspx
13. Ohio Division of Forestry
http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/
14. Ohio Endangered and Threatened
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/lists/ohio-spp.html
15. Wolves Change Rivers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q&feature=youtu.be
1. Ecosystem Vocabulary Quizlet/flashcards
https://quizlet.com/9954382/5th-grade-life-scienceecosystem-vocabulary-flash-cards/
2. Ask a Biologist about ecosystems.
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/i-spy-ecosystem
3. Understanding Ecosystems Video
https://youtu.be/bJEToQ49Yjc
4. Food Chains and Webs - Crash Course
https://youtu.be/CZhE2p46vJk
5. Food Chain - Energy Flow
https://youtu.be/MuKs9o1s8h8
6. The Water Cycle - Biosphere
https://youtu.be/o_bbQ0m3wuM
7. Living Things Change
https://youtu.be/xDSFlRunlrU
8. Food Webs
https://youtu.be/Vtb3I8Vzlfg?list=PLhz12vamHOnZv8kM6Xo6AbluwIIVpulio
9. Wildlife Ohio Timeline
http://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/42/documents/wildlife%20Ohio%20history%20timeline.pdf
10. 4th Grade Changing Ecosystems Webpage
http://fourthgradeba.weebly.com/changing-ecosystems.html
11. Ohio Department of Natural Resources
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/
12. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
http://epa.ohio.gov/home.aspx
13. Ohio Division of Forestry
http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/
14. Ohio Endangered and Threatened
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/lists/ohio-spp.html
15. Wolves Change Rivers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q&feature=youtu.be