March 2004

Week 1:  3/1-3/5    We discuss the interactions of trophic levels in food chains and food webs and look at  the Mono Lake ecosystem in California as an example. That relatively simple food web also serves to point up how humans can drastically alter natural balances.  Students constructed food webs on their tables using pictures and arrows, and completed the same activity electronically using our Populations and Ecosystems CD-ROM.

Week 2:  3/8-3/12  The students finished reading about ten Ecoscenarios in North America and considered the issues involved in human interaction with these different environments.

To make the connection between actual food and our theoretical discussions of energy in a food web, we completed the famous "Burn a Cheeto" activity in which we calculated the number of calories in the snack food by using its energy to heat water. 

Playing the role of a predator bird, students "ate" walking sticks on the computer and came to conclusions about the value of protective adaptations in survival.

Week 3:  3/15-3/18  Building on our discussions of adaptations, we will begin talking about genetics and the passing of traits from generation to generation.

(No school for students on Friday.) 

Week 4:  3/22-3/26

Week 5:  3/29-4/2    3rd Quarter enrichment project due on Wednesday, March 31.