Desired Results – Ecosystems & Population Change
Established Goals
Unit B GLO:
1. explain that the biosphere is composed of ecosystems, each with distinctive biotic and
abiotic characteristics.
2. explain the mechanisms involved in the change of populations over time.
Understandings:
 In this unit, students become familiar with a
Essential Questions:
 What are the major biotic and abiotic
characteristics that distinguish aquatic
and terrestrial ecosystems?
 What data would one need to collect
in a field study to illustrate the major
abiotic characteristics and diversity of
organisms?
 What mechanisms are involved in the
change of populations over time?
Students will know:
Students will be able to:
B1.1STS explain how science and technology have
both intended and unintended consequences for
humans and the environment
B1.2STS explain how conventions of mathematics,
nomenclature and notation provide a basis for
organizing and communicating scientific theory,
relationships and concepts
B2.1STS explain that scientific knowledge and
theories develop through hypotheses, the
collection of evidence, investigation and the
ability to provide explanations
range of ecosystems by studying their
distinctive biotic and abiotic characteristics.
Students are introduced to the concept of
populations as a basic component of
ecosystem structure and complete the unit
by examining population change through
the process of natural selection.
B1.1 define species, population, community and
ecosystem and explain the interrelationships among
them
B1.2 explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
support a diversity of organisms through a variety of
habitats and niches
B1.3 identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and
explain their influence in an aquatic and a terrestrial
ecosystem in the local region
B1.4 explain how limiting factors influence organism
distribution and range
B1.5 explain the fundamental principles of
taxonomy and binomial nomenclature, using
modes of nutrition at the kingdom level and
morphological characteristics at the genus species
level.
B2.1 explain that variability in a species results from
heritable mutations and that some mutations may
have a selective advantage
B2.2 discuss the significance of sexual reproduction
to individual variation in populations and to the
process of evolution
B2.3 compare Lamarckian and Darwinian
explanations of evolutionary change
B2.4 summarize and describe lines of evidence to
support the evolution of modern species from
ancestral forms; i.e., the fossil record, Earth’s history,
biogeography, homologous and analogous
structures, embryology, biochemistry
B2.5 explain speciation and the conditions required
for this process
B2.6 describe modern evolutionary theories; i.e.,
punctuated equilibrium, gradualism
Sequence
Outcomes
Day One
B1.2k, 1.3
Day Two
Day Three
B1.2k, 1.3
B1.2k, 1.3, 1.4
Day Four
B1.2k, 1.3,
1.1sts
B1.2k, 1.3
Day Five
Day Six
Day Ten
Day Eleven
A&B
Concepts
A&B
Concepts
A&B
Concepts
A&B
Concepts
B1.1-1.3
B1.5k
Day Twelve
B2.4k, 2.3
Day
Thirteen
B2.1k, 2.2,
2.5, 2.6
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Lesson Description
Assessment
 Ecosystem Notes 4.1
 Terrestrial Ecosystem Notes
4.2
 Biomes Brochure
 Aquatic Ecosystem Notes 4.2
 Population Limitation Notes
4.3
 Changes in Ecosystems
Worksheet 4.4
 Quiz – Topic 4.1-4.3
 Study Guide Worksheets
 Terrestrial Ecosystem Field
Study
 Aquatic Ecosystem Field
Study
 Field Study Lab Work
 Exit Slip (F)
 Topic Questions (F)
 Vocab (S)
 Biome Brochure (S)
 Exit Slip (F)
 Topic Questions (F)
 Vocab (S)
 Worksheet pg. 113120 (S)
 Quiz Topic 4.1-4.3
(S)

 Field Study Lab Work/Report
Work
 Unit Exam
 Organism Classification
Notes 5.1
 Classification of Contents
 Evidence of Changing Earth
 Biological Inheritance
 Lamarck’s Theory 5.4
 Mutations 5.5
Resources & Materials


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZKIH
e2LDP8&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNdTKZkV_GiIYXp
V9w4WxbX&index=6
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eTC
Z9L834s&index=10&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNdTKZ
kV_GiIYXpV9w4WxbX


 pg. 123-129 Field Study
Extension



 Lab Report (S)

 Unit Exam (S)
 Vocab (S)
 Classification
Worksheet (F)
 Vocab (S)
 Exit Slip (F)
 Vocab (S)
 Study Guide
Worksheet (F)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F38B
mgPcZ_I&list=PL3EED4C1D684D3ADF&inde
x=19
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3G
agfbA2vo&list=PL3EED4C1D684D3ADF&ind
ex=20

Day
Fourteen
Day Fifteen
B2.1k, 2.2,
2.5, 2.6
If Time
Day Sixteen B1.4-1.5, 2.12.6
 Quiz 5.1-5.4
 Speciation & Evolution 5.6
 Sixth Extinction Performance
Task
 Unit Exam
 Quiz (S)


 Text pg. 167
 Exam (S)

ASSESSEMENT
Learning
Outcomes
Title
Type (Formative/ Summative)
Weighting
B1.1 define species, population, community and ecosystem and explain
the interrelationships among them
Exit
Slips
Lab
Reports
Quiz
S
Of 5%
F
S
Of 5%
S
5%
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Vocabulary
B1.2 explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support a diversity
of organisms through a variety of habitats and niches
B1.3 identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their
influence in an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem in the local region
B1.4 explain how limiting factors influence organism distribution and
range
B1.5 explain the fundamental principles of taxonomy and binomial
nomenclature, using modes of nutrition at the kingdom level and
morphological characteristics at the genus species level.
B2.1 explain that variability in a species results from heritable mutations
and that some mutations may have a selective advantage
B2.5 explain speciation and the conditions required for this process
Unit
Exam
Topic
Questions
Worksheets,
Drawings
S
7.5%
F
S
Of 5%
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B2.2 discuss the significance of sexual reproduction to individual
variation in populations and to the process of evolution
B2.3 compare Lamarckian and Darwinian explanations of evolutionary
change
B2.4 summarize and describe lines of evidence to support the evolution
of modern species from ancestral forms; i.e., the fossil record, Earth’s
history, biogeography, homologous and analogous structures,
embryology, biochemistry
Student
Popsicle
Sticks
F
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B2.6 describe modern evolutionary theories; i.e., punctuated
equilibrium, gradualism
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