| ENVIRONMENTS MODULE MATRIX |
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SYNOPSIS |
CA SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARDS
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1. |
TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS |
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Students set up terrariums, observe
them for 2 weeks, and describe the
living and nonliving components
(biotic and abiotic factors) that
contribute to the terrarium
environment. |
LS3a Ecosystems can be characterized
by their living and nonliving
components.
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I&E6b Measure/estimate properties of
objects.
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2. |
ISOPODS AND BEETLES |
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Students investigate how
isopods and beetles respond to
environmental factors such as water
and light. They study how plants
depend on animals for survival
(pollination and seed dispersal) and
how animals depend on plants for
food and shelter. |
LS3a Ecosystems can be characterized
by their living and nonliving
components.
LS3b In any particular environment, some
kinds of plants and animals survive
well, some less well, and some not at
all.
LS3c Many plants depend on animals for
pollination and seed dispersal, and
animals depend on plants for food
and shelter.
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I&E6a Differentiate observation from
inference.
I&E6b Measure/estimate properties of
objects.
I&E6f Follow written instructions.
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3. |
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS |
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Students set up freshwater
aquariums with fish and plants.
They monitor the environmental
factors in the systems and look
for feeding interactions. They
learn about the role of producers,
consumers, and decomposers in food chains and webs. |
LS2a Plants are the primary source of matter
and energy entering most food chains.
LS2b Producers and consumers are related
in food chains and food webs and may
compete with each other for resources.
LS2c Decomposers recycle matter from dead
plants and animals.
LS3a Ecosystems can be characterized by
their living and nonliving components.
LS3b In any particular environment, some
kinds of plants and animals survive
well, some less well, and some not at all.
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I&E6c Formulate/justify predictions. |
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4. |
BRINE SHRIMP HATCHING |
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Students conduct a controlled
experiment to determine which
of four salt concentrations allow
brine shrimp eggs to hatch. They
determine range of tolerance and
optimum conditions. They learn
about a marine food web. |
LS2b Producers and consumers are related
in food chains and food webs and may
compete with each other for resources.
LS2c Decomposers recycle matter from dead
plants and animals.
LS3b In any particular environment, some
kinds of plants and animals survive
well, some less well, and some not at all.
LS3d Most microorganisms do not cause
disease, and many are beneficial.
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I&E6b Measure/estimate properties of
objects.
I&E6c Formulate/justify predictions.
I&E6d Conduct multiple trials/draw
conclusions.
I&E6f Follow written instructions.
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5. |
RANGE OF TOLERANCE |
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Students set up and monitor
experiments to determine the
range of tolerance of water for
germination of four kinds of seeds:
corn, pea, barley, and radish. In
a second experiment they test the
effect of salinity on these seeds. |
LS3a Ecosystems can be characterized
by their living and nonliving
components.
LS3b In any particular environment, some
kinds of plants and animals survive
well, some less well, and some not at
all.
|
I&E6a Differentiate observation from
inference.
I&E6b Measure/estimate properties of
objects.
I&E6c Formulate/justify predictions.
I&E6d Conduct multiple trials/draw
conclusions.
I&E6e Construct/interpret graphs.
I&E6f Follow written instructions.
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| page 4 of 8 |
