Ecosystem Populations
Students will research how the introduction or the absence of a species affects an ecosystem using a case study approach and determine, construct, and justify the best graphical representation to display data. (Bar, line, or scatter plots.)
Overview
Students research how introducing or removing a species changes an ecosystem, choosing one of two case scenarios as part of a project-based unit paired with the science lesson "Restoring Ecosystems." The mathematics lesson begins by comparing accurate and misleading graphs, then adds a video on spotting misleading graphs. Students examine bar graphs, line graphs, and scatter plots and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each for their own data. They draft a graph from their research data, cite their sources, and justify the graph type in a research presentation. The plan gives 45-50 minutes for each of the Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation phases.
Lesson Objectives
- Research how the introduction or the absence of a species affects an ecosystem using a case study approach and determine, construct, and justify the best graphical representation to display data. (Bar, line, or scatter plots.)
Standards
NGSS · 3
- MS-LS2-1Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem
- MS-LS2-2Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems
- MS-LS2-4Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations
CCSS Math · 4
- 6.SP.B.4Display a single set of numerical data using dot plots(line), box, pie, stem, and bar graph.
- 6.SP.B.5.aReport number of observations
- 8.SP.A.1Construct and interpret scatter plots
- 8.SP.A.2Know that straight lines are widely used to model relationships between two quantities. For Scatter Plots, know linear association and line of best fit.
CCSS ELA · 4
- 6.W.RBPK.8Integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
- 7.W.RBPK.8Same as 6.W.RBPK.8, but includes “following a standard format for citation.”
- 8.W.RBPK.8Use search terms effectively; integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
- 7.SL.PKI.5Include multimedia components and visual displays to clarify claims and findings and to emphasize major points. * Each grade level 6-9 has standards that integrate using multimedia components to display data.