8th Grade Science Guide

8.3: Ecology 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

Activity: The Biosphere & Nutrient Cycles in the Ecosystem

Objective

Overview

Materials

● I can identify and

● Have students watch the lesson about the carbon cycle, complete the Think, Dig Deeper sections. A Ted account is needed to access all of the additional materials, but is a free account. ● Students read an article about the Biosphere and Nutrient Cycling. Have students brainstorm different things that can impact ecosystems. Start by giving an example of a developer coming in and making a roadway through a swamp and how that might impact an ecosystem adn talk through together as a class what impact that might have. Now ask them to make lists of things that can occur to change ecosystems. ● Assign students both articles to read. While they are reading, they should be thinking of these questions: What activities are causing harm to the environments? What specifc part of the environment are these activities affecting? ●

● Video ● The Biosphere & Nutrient Cycles ● Graphic Organizer

describe the carbon cycle including the connections between photosynthesis and respiration.

Activity: Human & Natural Change to Ecosystems

Objective

Overview

Materials

● I can make connections between ecosystem changes and the stability of cycling matter between living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. ● I can describe evaluate how changes in an ecosystem affect the fow of energy through the carbon cycle.

● Artifcial light is playing havoc over Earth and disrupting normal cycles (human change) ● The role of wildfres in an ecosystem” (natural change)