Yakima WATERS Mini Lesson
Disappearing Ecosystems Gallery Walk Mystery
Targets and Assessment
WA Science GLEs Addressed:
 Science LS2C
 Science LS2F
 Science INQA
 Science INQB
Lesson Parameters
Content Area: Biology
Overview: Investigate disappearing ecosystems with a
focus on local shrub steppe
Grade Level: 9-11
Assessments:
 Identify and describe human activities
responsible for habitat loss and fragmentation
 Write an opinion letter as a farmer or sage
grouse addressed to local representative or
newspaper editorial
Suggested Time: 1 hour
Special Materials:
 Man vs Nature Posters
 Film “Disappearing Shrub Steppe”
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge: Indicator species can be used to evaluate the health of a terrestrial system based on their
environmental constraints.
Skill: Identify organisms common to the Columbia Basin in order to conduct future field investigations.
Science Concept Background:
Endangered species are often a reliable indicator of environmental quality because they are often highly
adapted and therefore sensitive to changes. These organisms often live in association with other particular
organisms and their presence or absence can indicate habitat degradation problems.
Materials:
 Gallery walk posters
 Film “Disappearing Shrub Steppe”*
Procedure:
Key questions: What are obligate species? What can they tell us about an ecosystem?
Put up posters prior to film. Have students move around the classroom in small groups (3-5) and silently make
notes on each poster for 5 minutes. Students should make a two column chart with the titles “I notice” and “I
wonder”. Follow the gallery walk with an open classroom discussion, calling on students to share notices and
wonders if necessary. Follow this with the letter writing assignment consisting of at least three sources where
students take the role of sage grouse or farmer and form an opinion on shrub steppe conservation.
Extension(s):
Followed up by Shrub Steppe/ecology field work
Teaching Tips:
Instruct students not to talk during gallery walk.
Supplements:
Letter instructions:



Compose an opinion letter, as the role of a farmer or Sage grouse, to a local government
representative or newspaper editor regarding the preservation of Sage grouse habitat that you own or
live on.
Include three sources in your letter that provide evidence to support your position.
Provide a solution to Sage grouse loss in the conclusion of your letter.
*Video available from the Bureau of Land Management, 915 Walla Walla Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509)
665-2100 or Leapfrog Productions, Inc. but it can also be ordered from multiple sites online
http://www.chinesetools.eu/shop/the+vanishing+shrub-steppe_B001IAMSII.html or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001IAMSII/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1276028578&sr=11&condition=used
Author: Michelle Lester, Yakima WATERS Project, CWU, 2009-2010