Lesson Objective

Students will explore the dynamic nature of ecosystems, focusing on both natural changes and human disruptions. They will evaluate how and argue that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations within the ecosystem.

How do natural and human disruptions to physical and biological components of ecosystems result in shifts in populations?

Ecological Succession
Climax Community
Eutrophication
Dynamic Equilibrium

MS-LS2-4

ELA: RST.6-8.1, RI.8.8, WHST.6-8.1, WHST.6-8.9

Engage- DOK1
Explore/Explain- DOK2
Elaborate- DOK3
Evaluate- DOK1 & DOK4
STEM Module Project- DOK4

Phenomenon: Ecosystem destroyed by fire, population change
STEM Module Project: The Fox and the Hare

Climax communities are unchanging.

Group work
Visuals
Sentence Starters
Graphic Organizers
Accessing Prior Knowledge

Formative/Summative Assessments:

Lesson Review

Lesson Check

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

McGraw Hill online textbook/workbook.

Labs/Investigations:

  • Change in Communities
  • Class is Dismissed
  • It's Sedimentary, My Dear Watson
  • Natural Disruption
  • Unnatural Disruptions