DAY 3: Mini Unit

Mary Brennan

Dr. Scott Reilly

Field II Spring 2017

Mini Unit Assignment: Day 3 of 3

Title DAY 3: Inquiry-Based Lesson Ecosystems,

Organisms, and Trophic Levels Virtual Lab
Subject Area(s) Biology
Grade Level 10th Grade
Summary of the Students will complete an online lab that
Lesson explores how organisms interact within
several biomes.
Standards: (as Standard - BIO.B.4.2.1:
applicable) Describe how energy flows through an
ecosystem (e.g. food chains, food
International webs, energy pyramids)
Standards Standard - 4.1.10.C
National Standards Evaluate the efficiency of energy flow
Professional within a food web.
Organization Describe how energy is converted
Standards from one form to another as it moves
PA Academic through a food web (photosynthetic,
Standards geothermal).
PA Core Standards Standard - CC.3.5.11-12.G
Integrate and evaluate multiple
sources of information presented in
diverse formats and media (e.g.,
quantitative data, video, multimedia)
in order to address a question or solve
a problem.
Standard - CC.3.5.11-12.I
Synthesize information from a range
of sources (e.g., texts, experiments,
DAY 3: Mini Unit

simulations) into a coherent

understanding of a process,
phenomenon, or concept, resolving
conflicting information when possible.
Essential Questions What is the role of a certain organism
within a certain biome?
How do the organisms within the
certain biome interact with each
other?
How would these organisms
interactions be demonstrated in a
food web?
Objectives Identify the role an organism has
within the biome it is found
Explain the relationship of the
organism with the other biome
inhabitants
Vocabulary: Trophic levels
Producers
o Autotrophs
Consumers
o Heterotrophs
Food Chain
Food Web
Estimated Time 50 Minutes
Materials Required Computers (at least 8), Projector, Projector
screen, Whiteboard/chalkboard, chalk/white
board markers, Lab worksheet, Pencils
Procedure BEFORE:
Each professor Explain that we are doing a virtual lab
may choose to o Search in Google for
align this section Ecosystems, Organisms, and
to his/her content Trophic Levels glencoe lab or
areas. type in the link found at the
bottom of this lesson plan within
DAY 3: Mini Unit

This section will students resources section.

include Pass out an instruction sheet and the
anticipated areas question sheet for the virtual lab
of differentiated o Inform them they must work
instruction. efficiently today because you
want the worksheet handed in at
the end of the period.
Take them either to the computer lab
or bring in the cart with the computers
on them
Divide them into groups of 3
Have them log into the computers.
o Have them pull up the lab using
the link on their instruction sheet
Bring their attention back to the main
screen and walk through the
directions with them
o Model answering one of the
questions for the snake in the
desert biome.
o Point out that some of the
questions they will know on their
own, but some may require them
to look at the information
provided about the animal on the
left hand side.
o Remind them to work together to
complete the lab and that the
answer sheet is to be handed in
by the end of the period
DURING:
Have them perform the labs within
their small groups.
Have them answer the associated
questions on their worksheets.
DAY 3: Mini Unit

AFTER:
With 5 minutes left to the class period,
have them close out of the lab and
sign out of their computers.
Ask them to wrap up finishing their
worksheets to be turned in on their
way out the door.
Formative Successful completion of the lab, ability to
Assessment fill in the worksheet during the lab for
hand-in at the end of the period.
Student Resources o Class notes from previous days
o Worksheet for virtual lab
o Virtual lab:
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/vi
rtual_labs/BL_03/BL_03.html

Notes: Because the virtual lab requires the students to use their
prior knowledge in order to complete it, I did not do a review on
this day of instruction because yesterdays cooperative learning
should have acted as the review for today.