6th Grade Science Guide

6.4: Ecosystems 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 5

●​ Lesson Plan

●​ Students will understand how human impact changes an ecosystem.

●​ This set of activities, inspired by the Wolves of Yellowstone | EARTH A New Wild video, introduces students to the ecological impact of wolf reintroduction and the controversy surrounding the wolves, allowing students to students extend their understanding and apply it to another wolf reintroduction debate that rages on today regarding Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. The lesson plan is divided into four parts that each focus on a different ecological or environmental topic surrounding animal reintroduction and trophic cascades.

Formative Assessment: 6.4.4 Formative Assessment

Activity: Invasive Species

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Students research how scientists are problem solving invasive species issues in the state of Utah.

●​ Invasive Species Information Center Website.

●​ I can review design solutions for Utah’s invasive species and

evaluate them on how well they protect ecosystems.

Phenomena Assessment: Moose & Wolf

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Students review a graph of wolf and moose populations and make predictions about how and why it may have changed over time using their knowledge of ecosystems.

●​ Google Slide ●​ CER resources

●​ I can explain why

population sizes change over time and make valid inferences from the data about why the population size may have changed (predation, abiotic/biotic factors, etc.)