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 make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.
1.01 Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including
- Other animals
- Plants
- Weather
- Climate
1.04 Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.
1.05 Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.
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 conduct investigations to build an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals.
1.01 Describe and compare several common ecosystems (communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
1.02 Identify and analyze the functions of organisms within the population of the ecosystem:
- Producers
- Consumers
- Decomposers
1.03 Explain why an ecosystem can support a variety of organisms.
1.04 Discuss and determine the role of light, temperature and soil composition in an ecosystem's capacity to support life.
1.05 Determine the interaction of organisms within an ecosystem.
1.06 Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems:
- Habitat reduction due to development
- Pollutants
- Increased nutrients
1.07 Determine how materials are recycled in nature.
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 4
The learner will investigate the cycling of matter.
4.01 Describe the flow of energy and matter in natural systems
- Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction from the sun through producers to consumers to decomposers
- Matter is transferred from one organism to another and between organisms and their environments
- Water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen are substances cycled between the living and non-living environments
4.02 Evaluate the significant role of decomposers.
Competency Goal 7
The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.
7.01 Describe ways in which organisms interact with each other and with non-living parts of the environment:
- Coexistence/cooperation/competition
- Symbiosis
- Mutual dependence
7.03 Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.
7.06 Investigate processes, which operating over long periods of time, have resulted in the diversity of plant and animal life present today:
- Natural selection
- Adaptation
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 3
The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the atmosphere.
3.03 Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires
- The monitoring of air quality
- Taking steps to maintain healthy air quality
- Stewardship
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 3
The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
3.04 Describe how terrestrial and aquatic food webs are interconnected.
3.07 Describe how humans affect the quality of water:
- Point and non-point sources of water pollution in North Carolina
- Possible effects of excess nutrients in North Carolina waters
- Economic trade-offs
- Local water issues
3.08 Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires
- Monitoring of the hydrosphere
- Water quality standards
- Methods of water treatment
- Maintaining safe water quality
- Stewardship
ENGLISH
Competency Goal 1
The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of 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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