Ecosystems: Grade Seven Unit Study

Contents of kit to be returned to HCOS:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Parent Guide - Duotang Properties of Ecosystems: Textbook Properties of Ecosystems: Teachers Guide Student Supplement CDROM Peterson First Guides - Mammals Magnifying glass

Ask your online teacher for a password for the Discovering Education website for access to the video clips.
http://www.discoveryeducation.ca

Science 7 Learning Outcomes Covered:

*Analyze the roles of organisms as part of interconnected food webs, populations, communities, and ecosystems *Assess survival needs and interactions between organisms and the environment *Assess the requirements for sustaining healthy local ecosystems *Evaluate human impacts on local ecosystems *Create models that help to explain scientific concepts and hypothesis. *Test a hypothesis by planning and conducting an experiment that controls two or more variables.

Ecosystem: Unit Study:

This unit is designed to be completed over a period of seven weeks, with three 30-45 minute lessons per week. There are a number of enrichment activities have not been calculated as part of those time estimations. The unit progresses through the Properties of Ecosystems textbook. Skip the sections in blue unless otherwise indicated by the lesson. The Teacher Supplement contains answers and more information.

How do I Teach Creation vs. Evolution?

The Teacher Supplement Guide, pages 8 to 10 are an excellent section for you. There are many other resources in this area. The Institute for Creation Research www.icr.org is one of those. 8/1/2013 Revised

WEEK ONE: Day 1: Lesson 1: What is an Ecosystem? (approx. 1 hour)

Daily Devotion: Garden of Eden, textbook pages 11&12 Read Textbook: pgs 8-9 Watch: Youtube video: (Ecosystems) http://youtu.be/O3CZFfyed3M Write: In your notebook answer these questions: What is ecology? What is a biosphere? Give five examples of biotic (living) things: Give five examples of abiotic (non-living) things: What is flora? What is fauna? Do: My Backyard Habitat Exploration There is no My Backyard Habitat worksheet. Have your child/ren create their own observation charts as below. Feel free to adapt, add to, or eliminate parts of the procedure ie. taking photos. Enrichment: Do the observations in two or more different areas. (a) grassy (b) swampy (c) creekside (d) pond (e) flower bed Materials needed: magnifying glass, 4meter-long string

Backyard Observations Area One:

Biotic things Connections to Connections to other living things non-living things Abiotic things

Sounds: Weather Conditions: Description of area observed:

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Day 2: Lesson 2: Niches (approx. 30-45 minutes)

Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 Read Textbook: pgs. 13-14 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_niche Watch: (Bees) www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/animals/bees.html Write: In your notebook answer the following questions: What is a niche? Name two factors that determine an animals niche. What is a population? What is a community? What different niches do you fill in your family and in your community? Do: (Discussion/ Journal) How do each of us function as a (niche) part of the body of the church? Are you doing your part? What has God equipped you to do? What is He equipping you to do? What are you interested in? Enrichment: If you have the materials, create your own Earthworms Niche.

Day 3: Lesson 3: Food Chains (30-45 minutes)

Daily Devotion: (Integrated with Think About it) Read Textbook: pgs. 16-17 Watch: Youtube (funny foodchain video) http://youtu.be/uJvRx2L_CME (Grasslands: caution predators catching and eating prey) http://youtu.be/ 3Bn7wdCP2v4 Write: Answer the following questions in your notebook: What is a food chain? What is a producer? What is a consumer? How is a food web different from a food chain? List two herbivores List two carnivores List two omnivores Think About it: In the Garden of Eden were there herbivores, carnivores and omnivores? Did things change after Adam and Eve sinned? Talk about it and then read Genesis 1, and Genesis 9:3. Do: Food Chains and Webs assignment (blue box pg.17) Enrichment: Create your own power point presentation about a Food Chain. 8/1/2013 Revised

WEEK TWO: Day 1: Lesson 4: Scavengers and Decomposers (30-45 min.)

Daily Devotion: Using a concordance or an online Bible, do a search for the word decay in the Bible. Are there verses that describe the process of plants breaking down into dirt? (Isaiah_ : ___) What does Acts 2:31 tell us about Jesus body? Why was He not affected by natural decay or decomposers? Read Textbook: pgs. 19-20 Watch: http://youtu.be/S9JPA243uMY Detrivores http://youtu.be/o32hxCDf-9w Decomposition of Organic Matter to form Soil http://youtu.be/c0En-_BVbGc Fruit and Veg decomposition There are many more decomposition videos on Youtube and Discovery Education. Write: What is a detrivore? What is a decomposer? Name two animals that eat dead plants and animals. What types of organisms are at the end of every food chain? Why is decomposition so important? Do: Create your own decomposition experiment: Choose fruit or vegetable (you can use more than one) 1. Put the veggies into a bowl or bucket. 2. Record your observations on a piece of paper (see below), and take a photo every day until they have decomposed or are too nasty smelling do deal with.

Observation Sheet -Decomposition

Day Description (color, Insects? shape, texture, smell) (What kind?) Which break down fastest? Mold? (color, quantity, texture)

Day 1 Day 2

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Day 3 Etc.
Materials needed: bucket, bowl or plate, fruit, veggies, recording notebook, camera

Day 2: Lesson 5: Oxygen and Water Cycles (30-45 min.)

Daily Devotion: Listen to the song This is the Air I Breathe http://youtu.be/SFYAHZ3_po Listen to it a few times. Write / Journal: What does it mean to you that Jesus is the air that you breathe? Ask others in your family what that means to them Read Textbook: pgs. 25-27 Watch: http://youtu.be/YswL4dIDQuk Water cycle song http://youtu.be/IncMhop-4Jc Water Cycle Movie http://youtu.be/0_c0ZzZfC8c NASA: The Water Cycle http://youtu.be/oazRvy2cSYY Oxygen cycle http://youtu.be/mUVX5rg1E0I Oxygen cycle (not quite as good) Write: In your notebook draw a diagram of the water cycle and a second diagram of an oxygen cycle. Be sure to label them as well. Enrichment: Use an elastic band to fix a plastic baggy around leaves on a plant. (An outdoor plant or a houseplant will both work. ) Leave it for a day. When you return you will notice condensation on the inside of the plastic baggie. This is transpiration or the plant giving off water into the atmosphere. Materials needed: plastic baggie, elastic band, plant with leaves.

Day 3: Lesson 6: Grasslands (25-30 min.)

Read Textbook: pgs. 35-38 Watch: http://youtu.be/kFIMWyo8P_4 Grassland Ecosystems (Disney Lion King themed) http://youtu.be/RYdERMo71Xs Grassland (short) http://youtu.be/y1kXCh496U0 (Optional), an interesting video about prairie dogs. Write: Name three characteristics of grassland ecosystems. What are four different types of grasslands? Where can each of these be located? Make a list of ten or more animals that prefer to live in grassland habitats. How can grass survive little water and being continually eaten down by 8/1/2013 Revised

herbivores? Enrichment: pg.38 Growing Grass

WEEK THREE: Day 1: Lesson 7: Forests (45 min. -all day)

Daily Devotion: In Genesis 1:27-31. Discuss what it means that God placed Man in charge of using and caring for the Earth. What does that mean for you personally? What does it mean for your family? Read Textbook: pgs.39-47 Watch: http://youtu.be/1MAPTT7VReU Boreal Forest http://youtu.be/DJGmlKZPoBY Fire as a Management Tool http://youtu.be/H-Cn1FwuRpg Sustainable Forestry http://youtu.be/nsFNTu0AXj0 Career: Forest Technologist Write: What are the major plants in a forest? What are the six layers of a forest? What are the differences between deciduous and coniferous forests? Why is the forest floor relatively dark? What is the role of fire in a forest ecosystem? List five ways that a tropical rainforest is different from a temperate forest?. Do: Take Plant and Animal Field Guides and go for a nature walk in a nearby forest. See how many different plants and animals you can identify. Are there any that youve never seen before? If you have binoculars take them along as well. Although it may be hard, as you move through the forest take time to stop and listen. Moving slowly and quietly though the forest allows you to see far more animals without scaring them away. Enrichment Field Trips: *If you live in the Frasier Valley, Manning Park offers a variety of trails and habitats to see. Id highly recommend some family hikes there. *Many local Sawmills offer tours. These are very interesting and informative.

Day 2: Lesson 8: Oceans & Reefs (30-45 min.)

Daily Devotion: Read Job 41 What do you think a Leviathan was? Discuss this with your family. Research the internet for other peoples opinions. Read Textbook: pgs. 49-54 Watch: http://youtu.be/jVrugjn79XY (NOAA: Monterey Bay Aquarium) http://youtu.be/8VOabiuIp_Y (The Ocean -You can discuss claims of 3 Billion 8/1/2013 Revised

years.) Deep ocean mysteries and wonders - David Gallo - YouTube http://youtu.be/wbNeIn3vVKM (National Geographic -Great Barrier Reef) Write: How much of the Earth is covered with water? How much of the surface water of the Earth is in the oceans? What are the three major groups of living organisms in the ocean? What might happen if the ocean currents quit flowing? What are some animals that live in a coral reef besides corals?

Day 3: Lesson 9: Lakes & Ponds (25 min. + enrichment)

Read Textbook: pgs. 63-65 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Freshwater Wetlands: Lakes, Ponds, and Pools Write: Do: What are two ways that lakes were formed in the past? What is an algae bloom? What would happen to fish in the winter if ice did not float? Enrichment: a) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlhnjTZ3MOM (The Living Planet Sweet Fresh Water) Excellent video! It is 54min. in length. b) Page 64 Freezing Freshwater & Saltwater (blue box) Materials needed: two clear cups, water, salt, thermometer, marker

Lessons 1-9 Test:

The test is at the back

WEEK FOUR: Day 1: Lesson 10: Rivers and Streams / Amazon River
Daily Devotion: Water is used throughout the Bible: -Baptisms, purification, Jesus is called the Living Water. Find and list as many incidences as you can showing when water was used in a miraculous way. Example: Turning the Nile to blood, Crossing the Red Sea, Elijah soaking the sacrifice with water before praying for God to send down fire from Heaven. Jesus first public miracle. Read Textbook: pgs. 67-68, 70-71 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Essential and Endangered: River Biomes Write: What is a river? Where does most of the energy for a river ecosystem come from? 8/1/2013 Revised

What is a riparian zone? Why do fewer plants grow in rivers than in oceans? Where do rivers fit into the water cycle?

Day 2: Lesson 11: Deserts and Oases

Daily Devotion: The Children of Israel had to spend forty years wandering in the desert. Read Numbers 14:1-35. Why did most of them never get to see the land that God had freed them from Egypt in order to see? Do we/ you ever share those behaviors? How might we be affected by personal rebellion? Read Textbook: pgs. 79-83 Watch: Discovery Streaming Life in the Desert System Write: How is a cold desert different from a hot desert? What are some plants, animals that you would expect to see in the desert? In what ways are desert plants well suited for the desert environment? What are some dangers that you may face in the desert? Why do salt flats form in deserts? Enrichment: Read pgs. 84-85 Oases

Day 3: Lesson 12: Seasonal Behaviours (30-45 min.)

Daily Devotion: As a family list the four seasons with some of their characteristics. Example: Wintercold, dark, lifeless, plants/earth is resting Spring warming, new life emerges Compare those seasons with the seasons of our lives. The times when things seem darker and bleaker. The times when we are growing and changing What season is your family in? What season are you in? Read Textbook: pgs. 99-101 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Seasons: A Year of Change Write: What is hibernation? What is migration? What are three kinds of animals that migrate? What is the most likely trigger for seasonal behaviours? How can animals know where do go when they migrate, when theyve never been there before? Do: Research the migration of an animal species. Example: Salmon, Monarch butterfly, Canadian Geese, Grey Whales. Map the route that would be taken during this migration. 8/1/2013 Revised

WEEK FIVE: Day 1: Lesson 13: Animal Defenses (40-50 min.)

Daily Devotion: Ephesians 6:12-14 The Armor of God. Why do we need to protect ourselves as Christians? How do we protect our faith? How do we guard our hearts? Prov. 4:23 Read Textbook: pgs. 103-105 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Oceans Alive: Armed and Dangerous Write: What are three main ways that animals try to defend themselves? List three ways that animals can trick their enemies into leaving them alone? Do: Blue Box on pg.104 Animal Defenses Game (You can write names instead of drawing pictures of animals.) Materials needed: card stock or tag board, drawing materials, pictures of animals.

Day 2: Lesson 14: Adaptation (30-40 min.)

Daily Devotion: Read Ps. 139 Discuss or journal what that passage means to you. Read Textbook: pgs. 106-108 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Elements of Biology: Biomes: The Adaptations of Organisms Write: What is adaptation? How does the theory of evolution rely on adaptation? How does natural selection work? What is the difference between evolution within a species, and the Theory of Evolution across species?

Day 3: Lesson 15: Balance of Nature (25-40 min)

Daily Devotion: God has given us the responsibility of caring for and managing our world. How does that Read Textbook: pgs.109-112 Watch: Discovery Streaming Mammals of North America: Predators and Prey Discovery Streaming: Concepts in Nature: Animal Predators and the Balance of Nature Write: What is meant by the balance of nature? Name two ways that the balance of nature is maintained in an ecosystem? 8/1/2013 Revised

What are two ways that animals use to stake out their territories? What might happen if a male cannot find a territory to defend? What would be the likely effect on the ecosystem if a prairie dog colony was wiped out by disease? How does Man affect the balance of nature?

WEEK SIX: Day 1: Lesson 16: Mans Impact on the Environment (30-45)
Daily Devotion: Read and discuss pg 188 A Biblical View of Ecology Read Textbook: pgs. 116-118 Write: What are some ways that farmers impact ecosystems? What are some ways that farmers and ranchers have changed their practices to be friendlier to the environment? What are some ways that industry impacts ecosystems? What are some ways that people can minimize their impact on the environment? Do: Blue box on page. 117. Recording my Impact Materials needed: Worksheet or chart below:

Recording my Impact
Mark each time times you use or produce these things.
Water: Drinking, Washing, Flushing Electricity: Lights, Appliances, TV, etc. Plastics: Every time you use something made of plastic. Gasoline: Distance / time travelled in vehicles. Garbage: Each time you make garbage. Metal: Every time you use something made of metal. Natural Materials: Wood, cloth,

Day 2: Lesson 17: Endangered Species (25-30 min.)

Daily Devotion: Spend time today praying for those who are working closely with animals and endangered species. Read Textbook: pgs. 119-122 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Where Have all the Animals Gone? Endangered 8/1/2013 Revised

Species Threats to Biodiversity: Why We Should Care Write: Name two possible natural causes of extinction of a species. Name three possible man-made causes of extinction of a species. Name three things that people are doing to help endangered species. Why might people overhunt a particular animal? Can people use the land without harming endangered species? Are there reasons why people might want to intentionally wipe out a certain species? Do: Choose an endangered species, Write about its habitat, and the most specific threat to it. Enrichment: Create a power point video similar to: http://youtu.be/Psv98volu0U Endangered Species http://youtu.be/6P0vEH1sWm8 Top 10 Endangered Animals

Day 3: Lesson 18: Pollution, Acid Rain, Global Warming (45-60)

Daily Devotion: As Gods guardians and caretakers of the Earth, what should we be doing about pollution? Journal or discuss your thoughts. Read Textbook: pgs. 125-127, 129-131, Watch: Discovery Streaming: Junior Environmental Scientist: Air: Pollution and Solutions Junior Environmental Scientist: Water: Pollution & Solutions Junior Environmental Scientist: Land: Pollution and Solutions Write: What is pollution? What are some natural sources of pollution? What are some man-made sources of pollution? What are the causes of acid rain? What is the greenhouse effect? Why is the greenhouse effect important on Earth? Do: Choose one of the Enrichment Activities below: Enrichment: Measuring Your Trash Exploration (Blue Box, page 127) Effects of Acid Rain Exploration (Blue Box, page 130)

WEEK SEVEN: Day 1: Lesson 19: What Can You Do? (45-60 minutes)
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Daily Devotion: God cares for you far more that you could ever care for our Earth. Journal or discuss with your family ways that God shows that He is taking care of you. Read Textbook: pgs. 135-137 Watch: Discovery Streaming: Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling: Environmental Concerns Earth Science: Conservation of Natural Resources Write: What are the three Rs of Conservation? List two ways that you can do each of these things.

Day 2: Lesson 20: Reviewing Ecosystems Final Project

Do: Choose one of the projects from below: 1. Make a diorama in a box of your favorite ecosystem habitat. 2. Cut pictures of plants and animals from magazines and make scenes of appropriate ecosystems. Only include plants and animals that are likely to share a particular ecosystem. 3. Draw a picture, or create a collage of pictures representing what you think that the Garden of Eden might have looked like. 4. Make an action plan for your family to reduce, reuse, and recycle. 5. Research careers that are available in the areas of ecology, forest management, forestry, conservation, etc.

Day 3: Lesson 21: Lesson 10-20 Test

Congratulations youve completed this unit. Please remember to place all of the items back into the package and notify the HCOS Library for pick up. The first page has a list of items that need to be included in this package.

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Lesson 1-9 Test

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Name______________________________
Fill in the blank. 1. What is flora? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 2. What is fauna? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 3. What is a biosphere? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 4. What is a niche? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 5. What is a population? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 6. What is a producer? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 7. What is a consumer? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 8. What is a herbivore? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 9. What is a carnivore? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 10. What is an omnivore? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 11. What is a detrivore? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 12. What is a decomposer? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 13. What is a deciduous tree? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 14. What is a coniferous tree? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 15. What is the difference between biotic and abiotic things? /2 ____________________________________________________________________

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Diagrams: 5 points for each diagram. 16. Draw and label a food chain.

17. Draw the Water Cycle.

18. Draw the Oxygen Cycle.

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Lesson 10-20 Test

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Name ____________________________________
Short answer: 1. What is a riparian zone? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Why do fewer plants grow in rivers than in oceans? /3 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Would you rather be stranded in a hot desert or a cold desert? Why? /3 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 4. Why do salt flats form in deserts? /3 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 5. What is migration? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 6. What is hibernation? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 7. Why do some animals hibernate or migrate? /3 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 8. What are three ways that animals try to defend themselves? /3 ____________________________________________________________________ 9. What is adaptation? /2 ____________________________________________________________________ 10. What is meant by Balance of Nature? /2 ___________________________________________________________________ 11. Name three possible man-made causes of extinction of a species. /3 8/1/2013 Revised

____________________________________________________________________ 12. Name three things that people are doing to help endangered species. /3 ____________________________________________________________________ 13. Name two natural sources pollution. /2 ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 14. Name two man-made sources of pollution. /3 ____________________________________________________________________

Short essay 15. Why should we be concerned about pollution? /10

16. What are five things that you learned in this unit that you never knew before? /5

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