Science - Biology
Lesson Plans

Standard 1

Students will understand that living organisms interact with one another and their environment.

Objective 2

Explain relationships between matter cycles and organisms.

• Building an Ecosystem in a Jar
  In this lab students must design a working, closed, aquatic ecosystem. They will demonstrate their understanding of food webs, energy flow and matter cycles.
• Carbon Cycle Demo
  A teacher demonstration using dry ice and student acting introduces students to the carbon cycle.
• Carbon Cycle Part 1 - What IS Carbon?
  This inquiry and discussion based lesson is a brief introduction to the carbon cycle, focusing on a description of carbon and its importance to life on Earth.
• Carbon Cycle Part 2 - Modeling the Carbon Cycle
  Students will model the carbon cycle with subjects and processes, and discuss the cycling of carbon through Earth's ecosystem. This is the second lesson in a series of lesson concerning the carbon cycle.
• Carbon Cycle Part 3 - Fermentation Lab
  Over a multiple-day period, students will conduct an experiment with yeast to investigate the effects of different variables on carbon dioxide production. This series of lessons will focus on fermentation, or anaerobic respiration, which is a major proponent of the carbon cycle.
• Nitrogen Cycle Reading
  Students will read a text selection about the nitrogen cycle and try to create a diagram.
• Nitrogen Game
  Students will use a set of dice to model the movement of a nitrogen atom through the nitrogen cycle.
• Separating Fact From Fiction
  Students will read an article and will discuss the difference between fact and inference identifying inferences and evidence within the article.
• The Commons
  Students model an ocean ecosystem and see how humans affect the number of fish over a period of years. Students must work as a class to find an equitable solution for all the countries represented.
• Water Cycle in a Test Tube
  Students will model the water cycle in a test tube. They will also learn how water is purified.
• What's the Limit?
  Students will grow radishes and experiment with the critical amount of water that they need to survive.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Richard Scott and see the Science - Secondary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer Throndsen .

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.