Inquiry Based Lesson Plan

Teachers: Lauren Thomas Subject: 7th Grade Science

Standard:

S3.C1.PO1. Analyze environmental risks (e.g., pollution, destruction of

habitat) caused by human interaction with biological or geological systems.
S3.C1.PO3. Propose possible solutions to address the environmental risks in
biological or geological systems.
Objective (Explicit):

Students will identify an environmental issue in Arizona by conducting research in

their groups.
Students will complete a summarization of their research findings and explain a
proposed solution in a short paper compiled as a group.
Evidence of Mastery (Measurable): Students will complete a short research summary containing at
least two reliable, academic sources, and at least three supporting points justifying the need for their
project. Summary must be typed and include a page containing the sources they used. Summaries
must contain little to no grammatical errors (<5).

Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):

SWBAT identify ecological issues as they relate to the environment in Arizona.

SWBAT discuss possible solutions for a selected issue.
SWBAT complete a short research summary describing their chosen issue and its
proposed solutions.
SWBAT select at least two reliable, academic sources to support their summary.
SWBAT justify the need for their proposed solution.

Key vocabulary: environment, resources, interaction, Materials/Technology Resources to be used:

sustainable, conservation, ecosystem. Chromebooks, textbooks,
projector/smartboard

Engage (Make content and learning relevant to real life and connect to student interest): Lesson will
begin with asking the students if anyone uses Burts Bees lip balm, enjoys honey in their tea, or likes
eating salad. Ill then describe that all of those luxuries they enjoy are in thanks to honeybees, but
their population is declining rapidly. The bees provide the wax for your lip balm, the honey for your
tea, and pollinate crops for your consumption. We will then view The Case of the Vanishing
Honeybees video, which explains this phenomenon. After the video, Ill state that the disappearing
honeybees is a large-scale environmental issue that scientists are trying to solve. Ill then ask them if
there is something about the environment, specifically in Arizona, that is of concern to them.

Link to honeybee video: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-case-of-the-vanishing-honeybees-emma-bryce

 Teacher Will: Open discussion for students Student Will: Participate in discussion by
to express what aspects of the environment providing their own opinions or replying to
interest or concern them. the opinions of others.

Explore Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: Students will have time to discuss their ideas with a
shoulder partner before open discussion begins, to be sure that all students, especially those
who are timid, have the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas.

Teacher Will: place students into small
groups and distribute Chromebooks for the
beginning of their research.
Explain
Student Will: Use Chromebooks to identify
and further analyze an environmental issue
of their choosing that relates to life in
Arizona. As a group, students will construct

a solution to the chosen issue.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: An aide will be present to assist with the use of

Chromebooks and conducting research for students who are not yet familiar or comfortable
with either.

Teacher Will: Assess research findings and Student Will: compile their research into a
proposed solutions presented by the students document as a group, which must be
in the form of their research paper. supported by at least two reliable sources.
Elaborate

Students will also propose their solution and

justify the need for it.

Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation: For students with reading/writing difficulties, the

option for an oral report or a scribe will be available.

Evaluate

Students will share their research summary and proposed solution with the class for critique or
support. Fellow students will offer constructive comments to aid in further development of each
solution, to facilitate a well-developed final proposal.