Galva High School and Stark County High School

Integrated Science Curriculum

Year 1 Theme - Mother Earth

III. Ecology/Ecosystems Unit (SI, Chs. 4, 5, 6)

A. Climate

1. Seasons
   1. Earth/Sun/Moon Demo
   2. Minilab: "How does sunlight affect temperature?" (SI, p. 128)
   3. Investigation: "Temperature & seed germination" (SI, p. 132)
2. Lecture: Precipitation
3. Begin - "Study of biomes" project (see end of unit)

B. Ecosystems

1. Investigation 10.1: "Living high" (SL, p. 10.2)
2. Terrestrial terrarium
3. Biotic factors
   1. Minilab: "What are the living & nonliving features of an . . . ?" (SI, p. 115)
   2. Thinking lab: "Comparing diversity in different ecosystems" (SI, p. 117)
   3. Discussion: Ecosystems (coral)
4. Abiotic factors
   1. Minilab: "Do nonliving features help determine which species . . . ?" (SI, p. 126)
   2. Minilab: "How can solids form in water?" (SI, p. 136)
5. Project: "Let's learn more about our national parks!" (handout)

C. Food webs

1. Activity: "Energy relay race"
2. Activity 16: "Food chains" (ESAK, p. 151)
3. Lab 21-1: "Observing pond water"
4. Lab 7: "A microscopic community" (SI Lab, p. )
5. Investigation 2.1: "Toothpicks in hiding" (ES-HRW, pp. 9-12)

D. Interactions among organisms

1. Minilab: "How do organisms interact within ecosystems" (SI, p. 143)
2. Minilab: "What kinds of organisms live in leaf litter?" (SI, p. 144)

E. Energy systems

1. Minilab: "What do pond snails eat?" (SI, p. 147)
2. Investigation: "The role of decomposers in ecosystems" (SI, p. 152)
3. Minilab: "How does energy flow in a leaf-litter community?" (SI, p. 155)

F. Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen cycles

1. Activity: Nutrient cycling
2. Minilab: "Do germinating seeds produce carbon dioxide?" (SL, p. 163)
3. Lab 8: "Too much carbon dioxide?" (SI Lab, p. 33)

G. Populations

1. Minilab: "How many offspring can a single dandelion produce?" (SI, p. 174)
2. Investigation: "Population growth in paramecium" (SI, pp. 176-177)
3. Exercise: "Checking understanding" (SI, p. 181)

H. Performance assessment: "Study of biomes" project