Unit Plan - Nature's Recycling Programs
This unit is for Grade 10 Science students. Each lesson will take one hour.
Unit goals - Students will demonstrate knowledge that matter is classified as organic or inorganic, and be able to identify matter as organic or inorganic. Students will be able to describe and analyze the processes in which nutrients cycle between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.
Prerequisites for Unit - Students will be familiar with wikipages, Google Docs, and other web applications in lessons. Students will have successfully completed a unit of internet safety and conduct.

Materials for Unit - Computer, access to internet, projector, student access to a printer, Science Probe 10 textbook.


Lesson #1 - Organic and Inorganic Matter

Objectives - Students will show understanding that matter is classified as organic or inorganic, and be able to classify matter as such. Students will explain the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors within an ecosystem.

Materials - no extra materials needed for this lesson.

Lesson Description

Begin the class by engaging students in a discussion about what they know about organic and inorganic substances. Ask questions such as what is the difference at a molecular level, where do the molecules come from, are there new molecules being added to earth's ecosystems.
Show Slideshare presentation. Discuss ideas as you work through the Slideshare.



Show students this next Slideshare presentation. The pages that are most relevant to our discussion are pages 7 - 12.



Explain that photosynthesis is probably the most important chemical process on Earth, especially in relation to cycling of matter. Engage students in discussion about photosynthesis and what happens during this process.

Show this teacher tube video.



Students can then go to the class wiki space, Lesson #1 and follow instructions.

Assessment

Informal: Teacher observation, student participation in discussion.
Formal: Glogster poster, homework assignment


Lesson #2 - Carbon Cycle

Objectives - Students will show understanding of the carbon cycle. They will be able to explain the processes by which carbon is recycled through abiotic and biotic matter.

Materials - no extra materials are needed for this lesson.
Lesson Description

Review previous lesson and go over homework questions. Clear up any misunderstandings from the previous lessons.
Engage students in a class discussion on how carbon cycles through the earth. Introduce new vocabulary using this carbon cycle presentation to facilitate your discussion.

Watch this video with students as a class. Discuss carbon cycle.


Display this picture using a projector. Check for student understanding as you work through the cycle with them.

540px-Carbon_cycle-cute_diagram.svg.png


Carbon Cycle Game

Carbon Cycle #1

Carbon Cycle #2

Students can go to Lesson #2 and follow instructions.


Assessment

Informal: Teacher observation, student participation in discussion.
Formal:Worksheet, homework assignment



Lesson #3 - Nitrogen Cycle

Objectives - Students will show understanding of the nitrogen cycle. They will be able to explain the processes by which nitrogen is recycled through abiotic and biotic matter.
Materials - no extra materials are needed for this lesson.
Lesson Description

Review the cycles that the students have learned so far. Go over Lesson #2 homework questions.

Ask if students know what amino acids are made of. Try to have students come up with the idea that nitrogen is needed to form proteins. Work through the following Slideshare with students. They can follow along in their text books. (Don't need to do questions on last pages). Show video on the nitrogen cycle.








Show this picture on the projector. Discuss and check for student understanding.
800px-Nitrogen_Cycle.svg.png

Have students go to Lesson #3 - Nitrogen Cycle and follow instructions there.


Assessment

Informal: Teacher observation, student participation in discussion.
Formal:Mindmap, homework assignment




Lesson #4 - Phosphorus Cycle
Objectives - Students will show understanding of the Phosphorus cycle. They will be able to explain the processes by which nitrogen is recycled through abiotic and biotic matter.
Materials - no extra materials are needed for this lesson.

Lesson Description


Do a quick review of the previous lessons. Go over homework with students and check for understanding.

Have students read pages 98-99 in Science Probe 10 textbook. This can be done as a group, or on their own depending on students. Show this short video which summarizes the chapter information.

Brightstorm Video - Phosphate Cycle

Discuss video and chapter with class. Check for understanding.

Have students go to Lesson #4 - Phosphorus Cycle and follow instructions there.


Assessment


Informal: Teacher observation, student participation in discussion.
Formal: Powerpoint or ahead.com presentation, homework assignment



Lesson #5 - Putting it Altogether

Have students go to Lesson 5. Discuss questions and be sure students understand the assignment.


Unit Assessment

In class assignments: 40% (10% each)
Homework: 20%
Quiz in Lesson 5: 10%
Presentation in Lesson 5: 30%