Secret Lives of Wild Animals is a web-based resource that allows students to explore the habitat of five different animals to better understand the interaction between the animal and its environment. The site is divided into eight sections that include: Deer, Ocelot & Agouti, Dragonfly, Zebra, and Seal. Each section contains an overview, tracking technology, video, quick facts, and habitat locations.
The distribution and growth of plants in the prairie is affected by numerous living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) factors (see table).Biotic and Abiotic Components of the Environment BioticPlants of the same species, plants of different species, animals, fungi, bacteriaAbioticTemperature, sunlight, water, soil nutrients, topography
Recently burned areas in the prairie support the dense growth of herbs and grasses because fire enhances nutrient availability in the soil. Bison prefer to graze in recently burned areas because the grasses there are more nutritious. Bison grazing "trims back" the dominant grasses, allowing other plants to establish and grow. Bison urine and dung further enhance nutrient availability in the soil, which supports the growth of some plants and suppresses the growth of others.
Plants are the foundation of ecosystems. Through photosynthesis, energy in sunlight is converted into sugars or other carbohydrates that plants use as an energy source. Plants also play a vital role in cycling nutrients through ecosystems. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other essential nutrients dissolved in soil water are taken up by plant roots and incorporated into plant tissue. Other organisms consume plants to acquire the energy and nutrients they need to survive.
Beyond playing a critical role in energy flow and nutrient cycling, plants interact with and impact their environment in many other ways. Their presence provides not only food but also habitat for other organisms. Plants influence temperature and other aspects of climate. They also compete with one another for resources in the environment. These and many other phenomena demonstrate that plants are not just a passive backdrop on the landscape, but are a dynamic part of their environment.
A central principle of ecology is that organisms must have traits which help them fit and survive in their environment. For example, a cactus produces shallow roots that allow it to rapidly absorb any rainfall in the desert and specialized cells in its stem that swell to store that water. Instead of conducting photosynthesis, the leaves are modified into spines that protect the cactus from animals that may try to eat it. Photosynthesis occurs in the outer layers of its succulent, green stem.
The traits of the cactus described above are its phenotype, which is any structural, biochemical, or behavioral characteristic expressed by an organism. The genes in the DNA that code for the phenotype are the genotype. Genetically based phenotypic traits that promote survival and reproductive success of an organism in its environment are adaptations. For example, the shallow roots, photosynthetic stems, and spines are adaptations that promote cactus survival in the desert.
Verizon Thinkfinity is the Verizon Foundation's free, comprehensive Web site containing more than 55,000 educational resources, including standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans, student interactive tools and reference materials.
This website ties to the California Standards grades K-12.
4.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a.
identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b.
plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c.
collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d.
use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
This is a good way for your "techie" students to assist with other students.
6.
Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:
a.
understand and use technology systems.
b.
select and use applications effectively and productively.
c.
troubleshoot systems and applications.
d.
transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.
In my classroom a lesson to incorporate this within a standard using technology would be the use of Inspiration in Language Arts. I would use this for Cause and Effect with Life Science and Salmon Summer from our Anthology series. Students will work on causes and effects of the fishing system used by Alex and his father in Salmon Summer to see the overall environment of the ecosystem that they are working in.
locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.