8th Grade Science Guide

8.3: Ecology 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

●​ Water flow in the Everglades changed when pythons were introduced to the ecosystem. ●​ As urban sprawl increases along the coasts, there has been a large decline in the survival rate of sea turtle hatchlings. ●​ The rate of heat transferred to the ocean has doubled since 1993. END OF UNIT COMPETENCY WITH LANGUAGE SUPPORTS ●​ I can make a model of a food chain and how energy is cycled through the food chain. ○​ Language Supports: ■​ Abstract nouns to introduce concepts (effect, relationship, converts, changes, cycled, energy loss) ■​ Connectors to link clauses (as a result of, therefore, instead, however, on the other hand) ■​ Clause types to express causality (if/then) ■​ Declarative statements (Energy from the sun is lost between trophic levels because _____., etc.)

DIFFERENTIATION IN ACTION

●​ Gizmo - Forest ecosystems ●​ Energy flow and the 10 percent rule ●​ Keystone Species ●​ Food Web Graphic Organizer ●​ Food Chain Graphic Organizer

Skill Building

●​ Students can read about Sea Otters and how they help keep coastal water ecosystems in check. (Newsela articles). ○​ Ecosystem Superhero: Sea Otters ○​ Sea Otters and their role in kelp forests

Extension

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ●​ SEEd 8.3.3 Formative Assessment ELA CONNECTIONS

●​ RST.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. ●​ RI.8.8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims. ●​ WHST.6-8.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. ●​ WHST.6-8.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

MATH CONNECTIONS ●​ N/A