Oct21

I typed in the requirements for the lesson plans below. Work together here in the wiki. Consider using the "discussion" tab to "talk" to one another about the construction of this page. Working collaboratively is important, I want to see both "teachers" working together using their own skills to design the best lab possible. If you ever need feedback from me during the week, email me and let me know what specifically you want help on, and I'll come here, take a look, and type my feedback direction on the page.

Activity Topic: Fresh Water Ecology
=Teacher Description Sheet=

Overview and Purpose: The purpose of this lab activity is to get students to investigate the makeup and requirements of an ecosystem by observing a pond water sample. Students will take various measurements and observations from their pond sample and record their findings. Students will also be asked to make a judgment on the health of the pond and defend it to the class.

The lab should take approximately 5 minutes to introduce, 5 minutes for the students to gather materials and set up lab stations, 30 minutes to take down observations and answer questions and 5-10 minutes class discussion.

Student Objectives:
 * 1) Students will collect data on provided pond samples.
 * 2) Students will decide whether or not this is a healthy ecosystem.
 * 3) Students will learn what makes up a healthy ecosystem and distinguishing factors of a healthy ecosystem versus an unhealthy one.

Inquiry Level: Teacher-initiated inquiry

Standards:
 * 11.A.4c ** Collect, organize and analyze data accurately and precisely.
 * 11.A.4f ** Using available technology, report, display and defend to an audience conclusions drawn from investigations
 * 11.B.4g ** Using available technology, report to an audience the relative success of the design based on the test results and criteria.
 * 12.B.4a ** Compare physical, ecological and behavioral factors that influence interactions and interdependence of organisms.
 * 12.B.5a ** Analyze and explain biodiversity issues and the causes and effects of extinction
 * 12.B.4b ** Simulate and analyze factors that influence the size and stability of populations within ecosystems (e.g., birth rate, death rate, predation, migration patterns).
 * 13.A.5b ** Explain criteria that scientists use to evaluate the validity of scientific claims and theories.

Materials List:
 * 1) Mason jars filled with samples of pond water collected from different local ponds (enough for entire class when in pairs).
 * 2) Litmus paper and color indicator chart (for pH readings).
 * 3) Dissecting microscopes.
 * 4) Light microscopes.
 * 5) Microscope slides.
 * 6) Lab handouts.
 * 7) Paper towels.

Teacher Preparation Instructions:
 * The pond samples should be taken from the pond no more than 24 hours prior to the start of the lab activity. This will ensure that the living organisms in the water will not die before the lab.
 * Take samples from enough ponds that each pair of students has a sample from a different pond if possible. This way, each group will have different findings and the lab discussion on what pond is healthy will be more interesting.
 * Give each pair a sample jar and point out where the other materials are but allow the students to construct the inquiry that they will use to determine the health of the ecosystem.
 * Allow students to record data and formulate a hypothesis on the health of the ecosystem and encourage a classroom discussion on their findings once they have recorded their data.

Safety Instructions:
 * 1) Wash hands before and after the lab activity.
 * 2) No food or drink in the lab area.
 * 3) Use proper technique with all microscopes.

Resources: http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/examine_ecosystem.html http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/science/standards.htm www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/High-**pH**-Ponds.pdf [] []

Teacher answer key: (Best to upload the Word doc to Google Docs, and make a link. Hint, design the student lab first, do teacher key last.) =Teacher Answer Key= [|Teacher Answer Key] =Student Lab Handout= [|Student Handout]

Write the student Lab in a Google Doc, and link it here, so we can view it.