WOODLAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL LESSON PLAN
SAS and Understanding By Design Template
Name: Mr. Dan Schuller Date: 3/5 – 3/9/12
Unit 7
Edline was updated this week: Y
Length of Lesson: 7 days Content Area: Ecosystems and Their Interactions –
My class website was updated this week: Y
STAGE I – DESIRED RESULTS
LESSON TOPIC:
 Ecosystems
 Cycles in Ecosystems
 Ecological Succession
BIG IDEAS:
(Content standards, assessment anchors, eligible content) objectives, and skill
focus)
UNDERSTANDING GOALS (CONCEPTS):
Students will understand:
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Ecosystems
Biotic and abiotic factors of ecosystems
Matter and energy in an ecosystem
Habitat and niche
Biomes and Aquatic Life Zones
Cycles in an ecosystem
Ecological succession
VOCABULARY:
Biosphere; food chain; ecosystem; food web; organism; producer;
species; consumer; population; herbivore; community; secondary
consumer; habitat; carnivore; biotic factor; omnivore; abiotic
factor; tertiary consumer; scavenger; decomposer; trophic level;
energy pyramid; soil horizon; limiting factor; carrying capacity;
niche; homeostasis; biome; deciduous; coniferous forest; desert;
ecological succession; climax community; primary succession;
secondary succession; pioneer species;
MODULE B—Continuity and Unity of Life
ASSESSMENT ANCHOR BIO.B.4 Ecology
PA Standard 4.6: Ecosystems
SAI 1: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.
National Science Standards: SPSP 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b, & 6d.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 What is an ecosystem?
 What are the biotic and abiotic components of an
ecosystem?
 How does matter and energy move through an
ecosystem?
 Why is soil important?
 What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?
 What are habitats and niches?
 What is homeostasis?
 What are biomes?
 How does matter cycle in an ecosystem?
 What are the stages of succession?
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
(COMPETENCIES/OUTCOMES):
Students will be able to:
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Compare the interaction of biotic and abiotic components in an
ecosystem.
Analyze the effects of abiotic factors on specific ecosystems.
Describe how the availability of resources affects organisms in an
ecosystem.
Explain energy flow in a food chain through an energy
pyramid.
Explain trophic levels.
Evaluate the efficiency of energy flow in a food chain.
Explain the concept of carrying capacity in an ecosystem.
Identify the major biomes and explain their similarities and
differences.
Assess the effects of latitude and altitude on biomes.
Describe an element cycle and its role in an ecosystem.
Explain the consequence of interrupting natural cycles.
Identify causes of succession.
Identify and explain the succession stages in an ecosystem.
STAGE II – ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE
PERFORMANCE TASKS:
 Case Studies
 Key vocabulary
 You Solve Its!
 Lesson Review Questions
 Lab Investigations
 Field Study
 Activities Kits
 Active Readings (Reading Anchor)
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS:
 White boards
 Discussion
 Summarizing main ideas
 Open-ended questions
 Response cards
OTHER EVIDENCE:
 Class participation
 Unit Exam
STAGE III: LEARNING PLAN
INSTRUCTIONAL
PROCEDURES:
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT:
MATERIALS AND
RESOURCES:
 Computer
INTERVENTIONS:
 Redirection during class.
 One on one assistance.
ASSIGNMENTS:
 Unit vocabulary
 Guided note packets
 Note-taking
 Partnering
 Cooperative Learning
 Summarizing
 Whole Class Response
SCAFFOLDING:
 Guided notes
 Build Vocabulary
 Chunking
 Teacher Prompting
 Build on Prior Knowledge
OTHER:
 Picture of the Day
 Power Point with guided
note packets
 Class discussion
 Lab investigations
 Assignments (Class &
Home)
MINI LESSONS
NUMBER/DATE
TOPIC
OBJECTIVE(S) By the end
of the lesson each student
will be able to:
PROCEDURES /
TECHNIQUES
To reach objectives
Homework:
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Computer projector
Textbooks
Folders
Handouts
Lab Materials
Laptops
CONTENT AREA READING:
 Text Reading
 Active Readings
 Case Studies
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DAY
Monday
2
3/5
DAY
Tuesday
3
3/6
Moving seat to a more
productive location.
After class/school
tutoring.
Corrections on
assignment/exam.
Extension/Extended time
to complete
assignment/exam.
Alternative assignment.
Conference with other
staff. (roster teachers,
counselors or
administrators)
Conference with parent.
DAY
Wednesday
4
3/7
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Active Readings
Lab write ups/reports
Lab investigations
POTD sheets
Case Studies
DAY
Thursday
5
3/8
DAY
Friday
6
3/9
Ecosystems:
Forest Biomes
Ecosystems:
Grassland/Deserts
Biomes
Ecosystems:
Grassland/Deserts
Biomes
Ecosystems:
Marginal/Aquatic
Life Zones
Ecosystems:
Marginal/Aquatic
Life Zones
Learn the unique
characteristics of
forest biomes.
Learn the unique
characteristics of
grassland and desert
biomes.
Learn the unique
characteristics of
grassland and desert
biomes.
Learn the unique
characteristics of the
marginal
biomes/aquatic life
zones.
Learn the unique
characteristics of the
marginal
biomes/aquatic life
zones.
View a video on
one type of forest
biome and
complete a video
sheet.
Power Point notes on
grasslands and
deserts.
Pass out Earth’s
Biomes Review
Packet.
View a video on one
type of grassland
biome and complete a
video sheet.
Power point notes on
marginal land biomes
and aquatic life zones.
View a video on a
type of aquatic life
zones and complete
a video sheet.
Turn in the Earth’s
Biome R. P.
Work on the Earth’s
Biome R.P. Due on
Friday.
Work on the Earth’s
Biome R.P. Due on
Friday.
Earth’s Biome R. P.
Earth’s Biome R.P.
Work on the Earth’s
Biome R.P. Due on
Friday.