Life Interactions w/ Ecosystem

by: Michael A. Pena Jr.

Introduction
Anchor Video
Concept Map
Project Calendar
Lesson Plans
Letter to Parents
Assessments
Resources
Modifications
 
Dear Parents

     Over the next 4 weeks your children will be taught about the invasive species that affect ecosystems in our everyday lives, and how that adversely affects us, both globally and locally.  This project will serve as a springboard onto many subjects such as species/species interactions, data analysis, water sampling techniques, and of course to learning about many of the different investigative tools and techniques that limnologists use in order to study the changes on the ecosystem of a body of water.  Students will also learn about the different layers of a large/small body of water and how they are affected by external sources, such as the sun, wind, etc.  This is key in understanding how these external sources can either exacerbate or diminish such problems as introduced species of plant or animal variety.  Obviously, there is a much bigger picture, and when looking at all the sub-issues, this can easily become a complex subject spanning perhaps an entire semester. Yet, the goal is to teach essential tools that the students can bridge into other topics, and as well to satisfy curriculum standards via a crucial topic to understand/appreciate and implement into their daily lives. The goal is to teach essential tools that the students can bridge into other topics, and as well to satisfy curriculum standards via a crucial topic to understand/appreciate and implement into their daily lives.

     On the second week students will begin to make trips to lake austin where special tanks have been set up for them, in order to study the effects of invasive species on ecosystems.  Students will be able to interact with an ecosystem that they have created, and thus will be able to better appreciate how it is effected, either for the better or the worse by certain factors. This will allow for an appreciation of the adverse effects certain environmental changes can have on an ecosystem, especially one that is their own.  The goal is to, through many topics, apply a self-awareness of how what we do, and how we interact with our environment can be a catalyst for either its demise or its prosperity.  This will be done through the bridging of topics of biology, limnology, and math. 

If you have any Questions Comments or Concerns Please feel free to contact me at 512-123-4567, and at email@email.net

Sincerly ,

      Michael A. Pena Jr.



Please sign  to allow your children to attend the field trip.




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