Ecology+Lesson+Plan+Review+Week+7

=Distance Learning - Lesson Review= Below is what you submitted to dl@pisgahforestinstitute.org on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 09:03:28


 * Name:** Kim Collazo
 * E-mail:** kscollazo@gmail.com
 * Lesson Title:** Observe a Rotten Stump or Log
 * Topic:** Ecology
 * Subtopic:** Biodiversity, Energy and Matter
 * Question 1:** This lesson is easily correlated to content areas studied in the 6th grade.
 * Question 2 :** Objective 4.01 Describe the flow of energy and matter in natural systems: * Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from the sun through producers to consumers to decomposers. * Matter is transferred from one organism to another and between organisms and their environments. * Water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are substances cycled between the living and non-living environments. Objective 4.02 Evaluate the significant role of decomposers. Objective 4.05 Evaluate designed systems for ability to enable growth of certain plants and animals.
 * Question 3:** The lesson objectives are clearly stated.
 * Question 4:** The instructions are clearly stated. I would add a quick 10 minute discussion in the classroom before going outside to review terms like biotic and abiotic, as well as other vocabulary I would want the students to use as they conduct the activity.
 * Question 5:** The questions require some critical thinking. The "Closure" activity really requires them to think critically because they are ask to combine cycles they observed into one large cycle.
 * Question 6:** I would ask them to think about how "their" log would compare and contrast to logs in other areas. For example would their findings be representative of a log found in a rainforest, a deciduous forest, a groomed orange grove, etc.
 * Question 7:** I would make sure students were clear on their tasks and groups prior to going outside.
 * Question 8:** I love this lesson because it is an outdoor activity that has the kids looking closely at something they pass by every day. I hadn't thought about an old stump being the perfect mini-ecosystem that would consist of many of the concepts we learn in the classroom. Great idea!!
 * Question 9:** I like all aspects of the lesson.
 * Question 11:** Again, I would add an element of technology. In addition to the drawing activity, I would also have the kids take digital pictures of their log/stump. Upon returning to the classroom, they would be asked to upload their pictures and use drawing software to label parts of the cycles they observed. These pictures could then be collected in a VoiceThread project where the students could narrate their findings and post to the web. This would allow the students to reflect on their learning and attain greater mastery of the concepts.
 * Rating:** 9

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