This document provides an overview for a 6th grade unit on energy in ecosystems. It outlines 11 lessons to be covered over several weeks, including the learning objectives, activities, and time needed for each lesson. Many of the lessons involve hands-on activities using materials like pond water, rocks, and plant seeds. Advance preparation is noted for each lesson, such as collecting reference materials, setting up long-term observations of pond and woodland ecosystems, and gathering news articles about climate change. The unit aims to teach students about populations, food webs, human impacts, invasive species, and climate change through interactive lessons and research projects.

1. Lesson Overview
Energy in an Ecosystem
6th Grade
(Order organisms 6 week ahead of starting unit)
www.protopage.com/lchambless- contains website listed in manual
Lesson Overview Time Other Things to Know: Advance Preparation
1 • Pre Assessment 45 min *Copy & Laminate: Word Sort Card Set
• Predator/Prey 55 min * Make Charts: What We Think About ….
55 min *Need: Internet
Research Project- Information 55 min *Collect articles and reference material on Isle Royale
needed in Activity #5 55 min *Prepare: 3 gallons of conditioned water
55 min *Collect large rocks and climbing branches- Activity #2
*Collect four 2-liter pop bottles for Activity #3
2 • Populations in Ecosystems 55 min *Book: Ecosystems
Build Classroom Ecosystem 55 min *Build temporary holding tank for aquatic organisms
55 min *Need: space for chart paper to make concept map
3 • Long-term Observations 55 min *Set up Pond Ecosystem: Analyzed in activity #10
Woodland & Pond Ecosystem 55 min *Prepare Observation Logs- observe until end of unit
4 • Schoolyard Ecosystem 55 min *Prepare: schoolyard survey
Add to Classroom Ecosystem 55 min *Collect small amount s of veggies or fruit- no bananas
5 • Food Web & Balance 55 min *Need: space and area with sunlight to observe seeds
Design Plant Investigation: Plant 55 min *Need Internet
Seeds - Observe for several weeks 55 min *Suggestion: Use concept map website from Lesson 2
6 • Balance in an Ecosystem 55 min *Display food webs from Activity #5
55 min *Copy and Laminate: Word sort Card Set
55 min *Need Computer Lab
7 • Overpopulation / Human 55 min *Collect Resources-different ways humans affect
Affects Ecosystems 55 min ecosystems (extinction, depletion, climate change, …)
Conduct Research Project: Class 55 min *Make Chart: What We Think About …..
Magazine- Extinct, Endangered, 55 min *Make: Science Magazine Assignment Board
Threatened Species 55 min *Book: Endangered Species
8 • Ecosystems in Michigan 55 min *Prepare: area for collage of MI ecosystems
(Compare to Class Ecosystems) 55 min *Collect: Variety of magazines for biotic/abiotic pictures
9 • Invasive Species in 55 min *Need Internet- Video
Michigan 55 min *Make Chart: What We Think About …
Research Project: Class Fact Cards 55 min *Need: large space for Part 2- Web of Life Game
55 min
10 • Climate Change 55 min *Collect: 8-10 newspaper and magazine articles
Pond Study Data/ Case Studies 55 min *Need Internet
55 min *Copy case studies from website (Pg 78)
55 min *Make Chart: What We Think About …
55 min *Need: large chart paper for pond ecosystems data
11 • What Can We Do 55 min *Copy: Global Warming Wheel Card (found on website)
• Post Assessment 55 min *Book: Protecting the Planet & Living Green
55 min *Suggestion: Start ecological initiative w/class or school