Aquatic Ecology
Exploring Ponds and Streams
Students explore several aquatic ecosystems and discover first hand (and feet!) what lives there. Students learn where aquatic animals live, what they eat and about their interactions with each other. Key concepts/vocabulary: hydrology, water cycle, metamorphosis, invertebrate, bog, pond, lake and stream.
- 3 hours
- Ideal for 3rd-8th graders
- Has been adapted successfully for older students
From the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Go back to NC class list.
4th Grade |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 1
The learner will build an understanding of animal growth and adaptation.
1.03 Evaluate living and nonliving things that affect animal life:
- Other animals.
- Plants.
- Climate.
- Water.
- Air.
- Location.
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 2
The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard and viewed.
2.09 Listen actively by:
- asking questions.
- paraphrasing what was said.
- interpreting speaker’s verbal and non-verbal messages.
- interpreting speaker’s purposes and/or intent
MATH
Competency Goal 1
The learner will read, write, model, and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
1.03 Solve problems using models, diagrams and reasoning about fractions and relationships among fractions involving halves, fourths, eighths, thirds, sixths, twelfths, fifths, tenths, hundredths and mixed numbers.
Competency Goal 4
The learner will understand and use graphs, probability and data analysis.
4.01 Collect, organize, analyze and display data including line graphs and bar graphs to solve problems.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Competency Goal 1
The learner will apply the five themes of geography to North Carolina and its people.
1.04 Evaluate ways the people of North Carolina used, modified, and adapted to the physical environment, past and present.
Competency Goal 2
The learner will examine the importance of the role of ethnic groups and examine the multiple roles they have played in the development of North Carolina.
2.03 Describe the similarities and differences among people of North Carolina, past and present.
5th Grade |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 1
The learner will build an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals.
1.01 Assess a variety of ecosystems (communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
1.02 Determine the function of organisms within the population of the ecosystem: producers, consumers and decomposers.
1.03 Evaluate the variety of organisms an ecosystem can support.
1.04 Relate the role of light, range of temperatures, and soil composition to an ecosystem's capacity to support life.
1.05 Evaluate the major source of energy for ecosystems (sunlight) and how it is passed from organism to organism in food webs.
1.06 Assess the interaction of organisms within an ecosystem.
Competency Goal 2
The learner will build an understanding of forms and sources of energy.
2.02 Assess the needs, benefits, distribution, pollution and cost associated with society's use of energy.
Competency Goal 3
The learner will build an understanding of landforms.
3.01 Summarize changes to the earth caused by erosion, weathering, and mass wasting.
3.02 Compare and contrast the stages of stream erosion and the valleys they produce.
Competency Goal 4
The learner will build an understanding of weather and climate.
4.01 Analyze the water cycle:
- Evaporation.
- Condensation.
- Precipitation.
- Ground water.
4.02 Analyze the formation of clouds and their relation to weather systems.
4.05 Evaluate oceans' effect on weather and climate.
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 2
The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard and viewed.
2.09 Listen actively and critically by:
- asking questions.
- delving deeper into the topic.
- elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
- evaluating information and ideas.
- making inferences and drawing conclusions.
- making judgments.
6th Grade |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 2
The learner will investigate the characteristics of matter and energy flow through an ecosystem.
2.02 Differentiate between the interconnected terrestrial and aquatic global food webs.
2.04 Evaluate the consequences of disrupting food webs.
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 1
The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.
1.03 Interact appropriately in group settings by:
- listening attentively.
- showing empathy.
- contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to content.
- monitoring own understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as needed.
1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:
- describing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
- identifying changes in self throughout the learning process.
- interpreting how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.
7th Grade |
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 1
The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural and historical issues.
1.03 Interact in group settings by:
- responding appropriately to comments and questions.
- offering personal opinions confidently without dominating.
- giving appropriate reasons that support opinions.
- soliciting and respecting another person’s opinion.
1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:
- analyzing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
- examining changes in self throughout the learning process.
- determining how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.
Competency Goal 2
The learner will synthesize and use information from a variety of sources.
2.01 Respond to informational materials that are read, heard and/or viewed by:
- summarizing information.
- determining the importance of information.
- making connections to related topics/information.
- monitoring comprehension.
- drawing inferences.
- generating questions.
- generating questions.
Competency Goal 4
The learner will refine critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.
4.01 Analyze the purpose of the author or creator by:
- examining any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors or propaganda techniques.
- exploring and evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
8th Grade |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 1
The learner will build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
1.01 Explain the composition, properties and structure of the hydrosphere.
1.03 Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases and life forms.
1.04 Assess human impact on water quality.
1.05 Evaluate the effects of point and non-point sources of pollution on North Carolina water.
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 1
The learner will use language to express individual perspectives in response to personal, social, cultural and historical issues.
1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student:
- shares personal reactions to questions raised.
- gives reasons and cites examples from text in support of expressed opinions.
- clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so, and asks classmates for similar expansion.
Competency Goal 2
The learner will use and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
2.01 Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard and/or viewed by:
- summarizing information.
- determining the importance of information.
- making connections to related topics/information.
- monitoring comprehension.
- drawing inferences.
- generating questions.
- extending ideas.
Competency Goal 4
The learner will continue to refine critical thinking skills and apply criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.
4.01 Analyze the purpose of the author or creator and the impact of that purpose by:
- evaluating any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors or propaganda techniques.
- evaluating the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
Go back to NC class list.
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