Peter A’Hearn
California Classroom Science, May 2014
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PQP tool developed by the Sacramento Area Science Project
*PE (Match to DCI)
DCI
Phenomena
Driving Questions
Practice(s)
Crosscutting
Concept(s)
Completed example:
PE: MS-LS2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource
availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
DCI
Phenomena
LS2.A bullet 2
In any
ecosystem,
organisms and
populations with
similar
requirements for
food, water,
oxygen, or other
resources may
compete with
each other for
limited
resources, access
to which
consequently
constrains their
growth and
reproduction.
•Zebra mussels
taking over CA
lakes (and Great
Lakes)
•Kudzu growing
rampantly in the
south
•Starlings
displacing native
birds
•Transition of
meadow or
pasture to star
thistle
Driving
Questions
•Why do
some species
flourish at the
expense of
other species?
•Why do
zebra mussels
proliferate
and push out
other species?
•Why are
there so many
zebra mussels
in the great
lakes?
•Why have
survived so
well where
other species
haven't?
Practice
•Analyze &
interpret data
•Conduct research
to find data about
the zebra mussels
(CCSS)
•Plan and conduct
investigation about
different aspects of
ecosystems
•Argue from
evidence
•Construct and
refine model to
explain
phenomenon
PQP Chart Developed by the Sacramento Area Science Project
Symbols for the crosscutting concepts at http://crosscutsymbols.weebly.com/
Crosscutting
Concepts
Systems and System
Models,
Energy and Matter