6th Grade Science Guide

6.4: Ecosystems 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 5

●​ Describe how limiting factors affect a population. ●​ Understand the effects of density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors.

sprawl and unusual weather on wildlife populations.

Activity: Oh Deer

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Large open space ●​ Lesson plan

●​ Students will be able to explain carrying capacity and limiting factors in an ecosystem.

●​ This activity allows students to model population fluctuations based on availability of food, shelter and water.

Formative Assessment: 6.4.2 Formative Assessment

Activity: How stable is your food web?

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Recognize a food web as a system, and describe a food web in terms of its components and its interactions. ●​ Provide examples of how a healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. ●​ Design and use a simple model to test cause and

●​ students design and use a simple model to test cause

●​ Lesson Plan

and effect relationships or interactions concerning the functioning of a marine food web, ranking their hypothetical ecosystems according to their stability when faced with a natural or man-made disturbance.

effect relationships or interactions concerning the functioning of a marine food web.

Activity: Wolves of Yellowstone

Objective

Overview

Materials