THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL OUTDOOR SCHOOL

Forest Ecology

The Wonders and Mystery of Forests

By exploring healthy forests students learn that there is much more to a forest than just trees. They will learn how a tree works, why certain species grow where they do and why humans and animals need trees. Students also discuss forests as a system of plants, animals, and decomposers. Key concepts/vocabulary: succession, dichotomous key, habitat, erosion, photosynthesis, decomposers, deciduous/evergreen, xylem, phloem, seed dispersal, and succession.

From the South Carolina Standard Course of Study

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7th Grade TOP

Science

II. Life Science

Unit of Study: Organization and Classification of Living Things

A. Structure and Function in Living Systems

3. Living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. Important levels of organization for structure and function include cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems. Specialized cells perform specialized functions in multicellular organisms. Groups of specialized cells cooperate to form a tissue, such as a muscle. Different tissues are in turn grouped together to form larger functional units, called organs. Each type of cell, tissue, and organ has a distinct structure and set of functions that serve the organism as a whole.

e. Classify living organisms according to similarities in structure using a dichotomous key (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species).

B. Regulation and Behavior

1. All organisms must be able to obtain and use resources, grow, reproduce, and maintain stable internal conditions while living in a constantly changing external environment.

a. Analyze the basic characteristics and needs of living things.

b. Compare and contrast how organisms use resources, grow, reproduce, and maintain stable internal conditions (homeostasis).

III. Earth Science

Unit of Study: Ecology - The Abiotic Environment

A. Structure of the Earth System

6. For ecosystems, the major source of energy is sunlight. Energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis. That energy then passes from organism to organism in food webs.

a. Describe how sunlight, through photosynthesis, is transferred by producers into chemical energy.

b. Trace the path of solar energy through a simple food chain and through food webs that include humans.

c. Examine how energy is transferred through an ecosystem.

English

7-C1.3

Demonstrate the ability to express and explain ideas orally with fluency and confidence.

7-C1.4

Demonstrate the ability to participate in conversations and discussions by responding appropriately.

7-C1.13

Demonstrate the ability to make appropriate statements to communicate agreement or disagreement with others' ideas.

7-C1.6

Demonstrate the ability to summarize conversations and discussions.

7-C2.1

Demonstrate the ability to listen for meaning in conversations and discussions.

7-C2.2

Demonstrate the ability to summarize conversations and discussions.

7-C2.3

Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between fact and opinion, to compare and contrast information and ideas, and to make inferences with regard to what he or she has heard.

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