Auxiliary Materials: (for teacher)

Learning Objectives:
1. Students will make connections between organisms and their environments 2. Students will understand terms: ecosystem, trophic level, calorie of energy 3. Students will understand energy transfer through ecosystems

Learning Goals/Skills:
1. Understanding of scientific concepts 2. Positive interactions, teambuilding 3. Effectively communicate ideas/strategies within a group

Formative Assessment Plan #1: Use trophic level transfer of energy activity to determine time constraints. If activity takes a shorter amount of time than allotted, offer to change the variables by 1) adding lunch and dinner to the "top predators" day for an extra challenge or 2) allow students to switch materials to transport fruit loops to observe the affects of higher/lower energy transfer between trophic levels Formative Assessment Plan #2: If class activities fall short on time, allow an open discussion of concept questions the students were asked to journal about.

Summative Assessment Plan: Use students' group drawings to determine understanding of food web connections and interactions within ecosystems. Use the journals as an indicator of learning goals and skills on ecosystem energy transfer that were met throughout the exercise. Materials Needed: -3-4 boxes fruit loops -large poster-sized paper -markers -20 index cards -masking tape -meter sticks -calculators -3 different sized containers

Trophic Levels Rubric

Understanding of Concepts Demonstrates a solid understanding of energy transfer in ecosystems; makes clear connections between food chains and energy loss Demonstrates an understanding of the energy transfer in ecosystems; makes some connections between food chains and energy loss Little demonstration of understanding of the transfer of energy in ecosystems; does not apply knowledge to connect food chains and energy loss Works with group; few contributions to task; does not interact within a large group unless prompted by teacher; little to no focus on activity Does not demonstrate understanding of the transfer of energy in ecosystems; no connections made between food chains and energy loss Does not work well with group; does not make contributions to task, does not interact within a large group, even with teacher prompts; doing other things besides activity No responses to prompts; does not complete diagram

Group Interaction

Works well with group; effectively contributes to task; interacts within a large group appropriately; stays focused and involved in activity

Works well with group; contributes to the task; some interactions within a large group; stays focused on activity

Journals/Diagrams Clear, well-written and thoughtful responses to prompts; diagram has detailed connections between organisms in ecosystem

Responds to prompts, some ideas too vague; diagram labeled to show connections between organisms in ecosystem

Limited or incomplete responses to prompts, diagram does not provide connections between organisms in ecosystem