Lessons for 5th Six Weeks (Weeks 4-6) 1) Copy the following vocabulary words onto a blank sheet of paper. Biodiversity – variety of organisms in an ecosystem or biome Climax community – dominant community of plants and animals that come to live in an area Ecological succession – the changing sequence of communities that live in an ecosystem during a given time period Limiting factor – a condition or resource that keeps a population at a certain size Microhabitat – a small or specialized habitat within a larger habitat Niche – the unique role or job of an organism in an ecosystem Pioneer species – first organisms to live in an area Primary succession – a process that develops a biotic community in a previously uninhabited and barren habitat with little or no soil Secondary succession – a process started by an event that reduces an already established ecosystem to a smaller population of species Sustainability – ability to maintain ecological processes over long periods of time; ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time 2) Copy the following notes onto a blank sheet of paper. TEK 7.10A - Observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms. Observe, Describe HOW DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS SUPPORT DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ORGANISMS Including, but not limited to: • Different environments o Microhabitats in schoolyards o Biomes • Support different varieties of organisms through o Providing for basic needs . Possible examples may include: 7th Grade Science - Watson . Climate . Vegetation . Location . Water TEK 7.10B - Describe how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem. Describe HOW BIODIVERSITY CONTRIBUTES TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF AN ECOSYSTEM Including, but not limited to: • Ecosystem sustainability o Biodiversity – a variety of organisms in an ecosystem or biome . Biodiversity increases the chances of survival within an ecosystem o Sustainability – ability to maintain ecological processes over long periods of time; ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function over time o Greater biodiversity leads to community stability o Genetic variation leads to community stability • Possible examples of increasing / decreasing biodiversity: o Introduction of native species o Introduction of invasive species o Introduction of disease o Natural disasters o Human impact TEK 7.10C - Observe, record, and describe the role of ecological succession such as in a microhabitat of a garden with weeds. Observe, Record, Describe THE ROLE OF ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION Including, but not limited to: • Ecological succession – the changing sequence of communities that live in an ecosystem during a given time period • The role of ecological succession o Provides diversity of species in a biotic community o Provides depth of trophic levels in a biotic community o Leads to attainment of equilibrium 7th Grade Science - Watson o Pioneer species – first organisms to immigrate to an area . Pioneer species modify the area, which provides conditions that allow complex organisms to immigrate • Stages of ecological succession o Primary succession – a process that develops a biotic community in a previously uninhabited and barren habitat with little or no soil . Process of primary succession (order of establishing initial vegetation) . Pioneer species such as lichens and mosses break down rocks to form soil . Soil develops . Grasses and small plants begin to grow . Shrubs begin to grow . Trees begin to grow o Secondary succession – a process started by an event that reduces an already established ecosystem to a smaller population of species . Environmental disturbances (e.g., fire, drought, etc.) destroy species or cause them to relocate . Pioneer species begin to return to the community and change the environment . More species immigrate as the environment changes . Process of secondary succession (order of reestablishment of vegetation) . Weeds . Grasses and small plants . Shrubs . Young forest . Mature forest o Climax communities – dominant community of plants and animals that come to live in an area . Consists of species that are best adapted to conditions in the community o Equilibrium attained (stability of abiotic and biotic features over time) • Limiting factors – a condition or resource that keeps a population at a certain size o Climate o Elevation o Moisture o Soil o Nutrients o Space • Example of ecological succession o Microhabitat – small or specialized habitat within a larger habitat o Possible examples of microhabitats: . Garden with weeds . Lichens growing on soil or boulders . Moss growing on surfaces . A plant growing between the cracks in cement or rocks . Decaying wood . Decomposing animals 7th Grade Science - Watson 3) Answer the following questions on a blank sheet of paper. What are some safe practices to use during lab and field investigations? How do we determine when to use each type of safety equipment? What is the proper procedure for using each piece of safety equipment? How do we properly use given preventative safety equipment during investigations? Why is proper management of resources and proper disposal of materials important? What considerations might be required, during a laboratory investigation, for the conservation of resources and proper disposal or recycling of materials? How do we plan and implement investigations? What should be considered when appropriately conducting a scientific investigation and why? In what ways can we collect, record, and organize data for examination and evaluation? Why is it important to use the metric system (SI units) when measuring in science? In what ways can a valid conclusion be communicated and supported? What makes a conclusion valid? In what ways can we analyze, critique, and evaluate scientific explanations? Why should we analyze, critique, and evaluate scientific explanations? In what ways can models represent the natural world? In what ways are models useful? What are some limitations of given models? What are some advantages of given models? In what ways can we collect data, record, and analyze data? How do we determine which equipment and technology to use during an investigation? How do we appropriately use given tools and equipment? Why is it essential for scientists to retain accurate records of all work? What is the relationship between organisms and their environment? How do different environments support different varieties of organisms? Why do different environments support different varieties of organisms? 7th Grade Science - Watson In what ways does biodiversity impact an ecosystem? What is biodiversity? How does increasing biodiversity impact an ecosystem? How does decreasing biodiversity impact an ecosystem? What is sustainability? In what ways does biodiversity impact the sustainability of an ecosystem? What is ecological succession? What are the stages of ecological succession? What is primary succession? Give an example. What is secondary succession? Give an example. What is a climax community? What are limiting factors? Give examples. What is the role of ecological succession? Why does ecological succession occur? Given a scenario or picture, with stages of ecological succession are occurring? What is an example of ecological succession occurring? Elaborate. 7th Grade Science - Watson 4) Higher Learning Skills Computer Lessons for 7th Grade – 5th Six Weeks (Weeks 4-6) All lessons will be completed with the computer program IXL. Students should have log in information (it is the same log in information that was used during class). Students will need to achieve a minimum passing grade standard of 70. Once all sections are complete, students should go back and attempt to successfully complete all assignments with a 100. 1) 7th Grade V2 - V3 2) 7th Grade X1 – X2 3) 7th Grade W6 4) 6th Grade G1-G9 5) 6th Grade H1-H4 6) 6th Grade I1-I3 7) 6th Grade J1-J4 8) 6th Grade K1-K2 9) 6th Grade L1-L2 7th Grade Science - Watson .