UNIT 2: The Organization of Life
Principles of Ecology (3 weeks) o The organization of life o Energy flow & matter cycles o Biomes & aquatic ecosystems
SEV.1.
Students will investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within an ecosystem and relate these phenomena to human society. a. Interpret biogeochemical cycles including hydrologic, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon cycles. Recognize that energy is not recycled in ecosystems. b. Relate energy changes to food chains, food webs, and to trophic levels in a generalized ecosystem, recognizing that entropy is a primary factor in the loss of usable food energy during movement up the trophic levels. c. Relate food production and quality of nutrition to population growth and the trophic levels d. Relate the cycling of matter and the flow of energy to the Laws of Conservation of matter and energy. Identify the role and importance of decomposers in the recycling process. e. Distinguish between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem and describe how matter and energy move between these.
SEV2.
Students will demonstrate an understanding that the Earth is one interconnected system. a. Describe how the abiotic components (water, air, and energy) affect the biosphere. b. Recognize and give examples of the hierarchy of the biological entities of the biosphere (organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere). c. Characterize the components that define a Biome. Abiotic Factors – to include precipitation, temperature and soils.
SEV.3.
Students will describe stability and change in ecosystems. a. Describe interconnections between abiotic and biotic factors, including normal cyclic fluctuations and changes associated with climatic change (i.e. ice ages). b. Explain succession in terms of changes in communities through time to include changes in biomass, diversity, and complexity. c. Explain how succession may be altered by traumatic events. d. Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence populations
SEV.4.
Students will understand and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other resources c. Describe how energy and other resource utilization impact the environment and recognize that individuals as well as larger entities (businesses, governments, etc.) have impact on energy efficiency. d. Describe the relationship of energy consumption and the living standards of societies.
Friday, January 20
EQ: What is the difference between a biotic and an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?
Daily Ten
Notes: Organization & Interactions
Outside Observation Activity
Active Reading: Ecosystems: Everything is connected
Monday, January 23
EQ: What is an adaptation?
Daily Ten
Collect Current Events papers
Notes: Evolution
Active Reading: Evolution
Jeff Corwin Galapagos Island Video & Questions

Tuesday, January 24
EQ: What is an example of an adaptation?
Animal Adaptations Internet Lab
Wednesday, January 25
EQ: Why do the finches of the Galapagos have different beaks?
Daily Ten
Quiz: Ecosystems & Evolution
Bird Beak Lab
Thursday, January 26
Daily Ten
Animal Adaptations PPT
Introduce Critter Projects-Students will have everything written and ready to put into powerpoint on Monday
Friday, January 27
Daily Ten
Work on Critter Project
Monday, January 30
Substitute b/c of Dr. Appt
Finish up Critters and be ready to present on Tuesday
Tuesday, January 31
EQ: What is the ultimate source of energy for all living things?
Daily Ten
Present Critter Projects
Start notes on Energy Transfer
Wednesday, February 1
EQ: How much energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next?
Daily Ten
10%/Food chain & Web practice
Trophic Pyramid: Eat or be Eaten
Active Reading: Energy Flow in Ecosystems
Thursday, February 2
EQ: How are humans affecting the carbon cycle?
Daily Ten
Introduce & work on Cycles Projects
Friday, February 3
EQ: What are the major process of the water cycle?
Daily Ten

Present Cycles Projects
Notes: Cycles
Cycles Video clips
Active Reading: The Cycling of Material
Read pages 124-128 #1-4
Monday, February 6
EQ: How does a pioneer species contribute to ecological succession?
Daily Ten
Water FRAME (Graphic Organizer)
Notes: Succession
Start Test Review
Tuesday, February 7
Daily Ten
Finish Test Review
Review Game
Wednesday, February 8
Unit 2 Test
Intro to Biomes Notes
Thursday, February 9
EQ: What is the main limiting factor in a land biome?
Daily Ten
Biomes Internet Lab
Friday, February 10
EQ: What is permafrost?
Daily Ten
Notes: Biomes Chart
Introduce Biomes Project
Biomes crossword puzzle
Monday, February 13
Daily 10
Work on Biomes PPT Project
Tuesday, February 14
Daily 10
Present Biomes PPT
Introduce Biome Ball Project
Wednesday, February 15
Daily 10
Work on Biome Ball Project

Thursday, February 16
Daily 10
Biomes Open Note Test
Friday, February 17
Lion King & Questions