IQ1) Are we all connected?
Our Earth is made up of four different spheres - the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Each of the spheres has its own special roles but they also interact with each other in important ways. The interaction of the four spheres allows unique ecosystems to operate.
WINKS
IQ1) Are we all CONNECTED???
|
Jane Poynter tells her story of living two years and 20 minutes in Biosphere 2 -- an experience that provoked her to explore how we might sustain life in the harshest of environments. We begin to understand how interconnected every component of the environment is and how delicately balanced it is.... |
2.1) The Four Spheres of the Earth
2.2) Ecosystems, Abiotic and Biotic Factors
2.2A) What are Ecosystems? - recall from your 8
a) Write down your scientific definition of an ecosystem -An ecosystem is a specific area in which different organisms live and depend on one another. They consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment. b) Use this website 'Different Types of Ecosystems' (Links to an external site.) to find out the names of at least 10 different types of ecosystems, add an image for each type. Make sure that you print these (they can be small images) and place them in your exercise books. c) Digital Activity - Build a Biome by switch zoo |
Project - Build a Bottle Biome due week 1 Term 2 2020
Task - To research, design, construct and photograph (weekly) your own Bottle Biome
This is a fun project that you can do simply as shown in the video below or you can even take it that extra step and add fish!!! Here is a website that you can look at that discusses all types of Bottle Biomes |
2.2B) What are Biotic and Abiotic Factors?
a) Complete BBC Bitesize - Abiotic Factors & Distribution of Organisms (Links to an external site.) Revision and write brief notes in your exercise book from the information. Complete the online test once you have written your notes. Additional Resource - the video Abiotic and Biotic Factors as videos are not available on BBC Bitesize b) Paste worksheet "Biotic and Abiotic Factors" into your book and complete. c) Paste worksheet "Practical "How do we measure abiotic factors?" d) Paste Worksheet "Measuring Abiotic Factors" into your book and complete - answers |
2.2) The Cycling of Energy in Ecosystems - Food Chains, Food Webs and Feeding Relationships
1) Read through the following module and make notes in your books: Food Chains & Food Webs Module from CK- 12 2) Complete: Practice Food Web from CK-12 Quiz 3) Choose ONE of the 10 ecosystems t(or biome) hat you researched at the beginning of this topic and create your own food web for it in your exercise books. This website from Wikihow "How to draw a food web" will help you complete this activity 4) Paste the worksheet on "Food Webs on a Rock Platform" into your books and complete 5) Paste the worksheet on "Food Webs and Pyramids" into your books and complete 6) Feeding Relationships - Look at the predator-prey relationship images below and then complete the worksheet "Population Fluctuations" |
2.3) The Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems -The Water Cycle, The Carbon Cycle and the Nitrogen Cycle
Another good reference is EP NSW Stage 5, Earth and Space, Global Systems, Spheres and Global Cycles,
a) The Water Cycle
Use the following resources to make notes and diagrams of the water cycle in your exercise books AND answer the first FOUR questions on the CK-12 website (not the review ones). * the Water Cycle (Links to an external site.) Module from CK - 12, * the three videos |
|
|
|
Water is a precious, yet finite resource essential for life, with no adequate substitute. Supplying and allocating water of adequate quality and in sufficient quantity is one of the major challenges facing society today. Such challenges are creating a giant market for water solutions. Watch this video to find out more about the challenges and opportunities that exist by addressing water scarcity.
|
b) The Carbon Cycle
i) View the You tube Clip on the Carbon Cycle. Use the Ted Ed Carbon Cycle lesson to learn more about this process. ii) Complete the Carbon Cycle (Links to an external site.) Module from CK - 12, take brief notes and include an image or diagram of the carbon cycle. Answer the four questions at the bottom of the reading. iii) Optional - Complete and mark the assessment quiz from education perfect. You should have received an email to directly assess the quiz or you can use this link. https://www.educationperfect.com/app/#/dashboard/assessment/2894334 |
|
Extension Activity) The Carbon Cycle Notes and Flow Chart
1) Research the Carbon Cycle using the website resource Carbon Cycle 1 and another excellent carbon cycle website Science Learning. 2) Create TWO A3 flow charts - The Biological Carbon Cycle and The Geological Carbon Cycle to show how carbon cycles through the Earth's different spheres. The Biological Carbon Cycle flow chart must contain: Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere, Plants, Decay of Plants and Animals, Animals The Geological Carbon Cycle flow chart must contain: Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere, Burning of Fossil Fuels, Creation of Fossil Fuels, Volcanoes, Weathering and Erosion, Decay of Animals and Plants, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks. You can use these flow chart templates if needed for the Biological and the Geological Carbon Cycle |
c) The Nitrogen Cycle
i) Complete worksheet on the Nitrogen Cycle Further reading if required a) Nitrogen Cycle (Links to an external site.) Module from CK - 12 b) "eSchools Today" c) Chapter 14.1 of your textbook CS5 |
Extension Video) Nitrogen & Phosphorus Cycles
|
|
Extension Activity) If you are interested in the FULL explanation of the Nitrogen Cycle then read through the powerpoint presentation below
|
|
2.4) The Ripple Effect
2.5) Are we all connected?
Evaluation of Secondary Sources
Not all information on the internet is made the same. Sites such as Wikipedia, Answers.com and many forums are not appropriately peer-reviewed and therefore are more likely to contain inaccurate or misleading information.
When searching for secondary sources it is important to consider the following:
- Who has published the information?
- How recently was the information published?
- Is the information consistent with other published information?
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data?
Information is more likely to be accurate if the secondary source is valid and reliable. We can evaluate the validity and reliability of secondary sources by answering the following questions:
Evaluating Validity:
- Is the author qualified in a relevant field (we can often tell from the website e.g. websites ending in .edu .gov .org tend to be better choices than those ending in .com etc
- Is the publication recent and has any first-hand data been interpreted correctly
- Does the information in the source relate to the problem / question that you are investigating
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data (e.g. scientific journal articles are referenced)
Evaluating Reliability:
- Is the information consistent with information from other reputable sources such as scientific journals, textbooks and educational websites?
Activity:
Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the reliability and validity of the following sources. You should be able to state whether or not you think the sources are reliable / valid and then give reasons to support your decision.
Source One
Source Two
Source Three
Source Four
Not all information on the internet is made the same. Sites such as Wikipedia, Answers.com and many forums are not appropriately peer-reviewed and therefore are more likely to contain inaccurate or misleading information.
When searching for secondary sources it is important to consider the following:
- Who has published the information?
- How recently was the information published?
- Is the information consistent with other published information?
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data?
Information is more likely to be accurate if the secondary source is valid and reliable. We can evaluate the validity and reliability of secondary sources by answering the following questions:
Evaluating Validity:
- Is the author qualified in a relevant field (we can often tell from the website e.g. websites ending in .edu .gov .org tend to be better choices than those ending in .com etc
- Is the publication recent and has any first-hand data been interpreted correctly
- Does the information in the source relate to the problem / question that you are investigating
- Is the information supported by valid first-hand data (e.g. scientific journal articles are referenced)
Evaluating Reliability:
- Is the information consistent with information from other reputable sources such as scientific journals, textbooks and educational websites?
Activity:
Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the reliability and validity of the following sources. You should be able to state whether or not you think the sources are reliable / valid and then give reasons to support your decision.
Source One
Source Two
Source Three
Source Four
Other Resources
Task 1: The Four Spheres of the Earth (Tuesday 2nd August)
Working in your group, gather and present information about the Earth's four spheres. Answer the specific questions for each sphere: The resources, "Exploring Earth" , chapter 14.1 in CS5 and the youtube clip "Big Idea 3:Earth's Systems Interact" shown below are good resources to support your investigations. Note that "Exploring Earth" refers to the lithosphere as the geosphere. |
Biosphere
* Define what the biosphere contains and the area that it covers. * List some impacts of natural disasters on the biosphere |
Hydrosphere
* Define what the hydrosphere includes and the area that it covers * Are clouds part of the hydrosphere or atmosphere? *What are the main elements or compounds or mixtures that make up the hydrosphere? * List some impacts of natural disasters on the biosphere |
Atmosphere
* Define what the atmosphere includes and the area that it covers. * Are clouds part of the hydrosphere or atmosphere? * What are the main elements or compounds or mixtures that make up the atmosphere? * List some impacts of natural disasters on the biosphere |
Lithosphere
*Define what the lithosphere includes and the area that it covers. A diagram will be required * What are the main elements or compounds or mixtures that it contains. * List some impacts of natural disasters on the biosphere |