General Ecology
Web of Life
This class focuses on the interactions and dependencies of the smallest animals, such as phytoplankton, to the largest animals, or keystone species. Through discussion, activities and exploration each students will see how their everyday actions affect the world around them. Several different communities will be examined in order to see the interconnection between animals and their environment. Key concepts/vocabulary: food chain/web, predator/prey, consumers, producers, energy transfer and biomagnification.
- 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.
1.02 Determine animal behaviors and body structures that have specific growth and survival functions in a particular habitat.
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 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.
HEALTHFUL LIVING
Competency Goal 2
The learner will apply the skills of stress management to the prevention of serious health risks for self and others.
2.04 Distinguish between needs and wants.
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.
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.
2.03 Describe ways in which organisms interact with each other and with non-living parts of the environment:
- Limiting factors.
- Coexistence/Cooperation/Competition.
- Symbiosis.
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 |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 1
The learner will build an understanding of the atmosphere.
1.04 Evaluate human impact on the atmosphere.
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.
8th Grade |
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 2
The learner will build an understanding of population dynamics.
2.02 Conclude that some ecosystem resources are finite.
2.03 Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.
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.
1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:
- evaluating how personal perspectives are influenced by society, cultural differences, and historical issues.
- appraising changes in self throughout the learning process.
- evaluating personal circumstances and background that shape interaction with text.
Go back to NC class list.
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