Inquiry Based Lesson Plan

Teachers: Jacob A. Webster

Subject: Biology Ecosystems and

Sustainability

Standard:
S4.C3.PO1: Identify the relationships among organisms within populations, communities, ecosystems
and biomes.
Objective (Explicit):
SWBAT create a Prezi Presentation on a specific ecosystem that covers general ecosystem facts,
survival of the fittest, communities, populations and species in their ecosystem and potential
sustainability functions in collaborative group format using proper presentation techniques.
Evidence of Mastery (Measurable):
The evidence of mastery is achieved within two formats: 1. A group project using a Prezi Presentation
(while students fill out notes) and 2. A class study guide will be formed to ultimately study for the final
mastery component an exam over ecosystems.
Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):
Each group will have a different Ecosystem chosen by the students themselves to investigate and report to
the class in a Prezi Presentation. With a Prezi Presentation using survival of the fittest, communities,
populations and species in their ecosystem and potential sustainability projects for their group to survive in
that given ecosystem will be presented in their group projects.
Ecosystems are a community of living organisms that interact in a distinct closed system.
Survival of the Fittest a mechanism of natural selection, determines who is fit for the environment.
Community interacting groups of various species in a certain location.
Population one-type of species in a certain location (ten humans, homosapien).
Species one-type of species an individual (one human, homosapien).
Sustainability the ability for individuals to survive in biological community and to be productive and
endure in a variety of situations.
The collaborative Prezi Presentation will be part one of the assessment of this Ecosystem Group (Project
Project-Based Learning). While one group is presenting their founded research, all non-presenting students
are filling out notes while the presenters are giving information about their Ecosystem. This first part of the
assessment will allow the instructor to determine based upon the group presentation if students understand
ecosystems and how ecosystems tie into many biological studies.
Key vocabulary:
Materials/Technology Resources to be used:
Prezi Presentation, Ecosystems, Survival of the Fittest,
Projector, Student Email Accounts,
Biological Communities Populations Species,
Group/Collaborative - Prezi Presentations, Prezi
Sustainability
Accounts, Student Note Packets (Cornell
Format).
Engage (Make content and learning relevant to real life and connect to student interest)
Surviving is essential to life using their research of their specific ecosystem students must collaborate to be
the survival of the fittest and create a sustainability system for their community to survive. In the final group
presentation, the specific ecosystem will be demonstrated with general facts of what creates that ecosystem
and how their community of homosapeins will survive. Students will be able to ultimately use real world
knowledge gained through this Project to learn how to not only survive in a specific environment but also be

Elaborate

Explain

Explore

able to collaborate with others within their community.

Teacher Will: begin to assign groups and give a Student Will: listen attentively and understand
detailed instruction of what will be the final
what needs to be completed in the PBL
overall product for the PBL assignment.
assignment.
Review (Appendix A):
Take Notes on:
Surviving
Review Components & the Prezi
Presentation Format
Survival Tactics
Choose which Ecosystem by end of the
What is an Ecosystem
period!
Present Prezi Format
Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation:
Provide Handouts for Prezi Construction Walkthrough
Strategically Place Students that need Language assistance into certain groups
Teacher Will:
Student Will:
Begin to Dissect the Differences of
Begin to brainstorm ideas for their
Ecosystems
project concerning the ideas of building
a surviving, thriving, sustainable
The levels between Communities and
community in their ecosystem.
how Sustainability intertwines
Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation
Provide Teacher Notes (Special Circumstances)
Students will work together in a collaborative group
Teacher Will: begin to facilitate a structured
Student Will:
format. GIVE A TIME LAYOUT FOR EVENTS
Begin to correlate a time management
THAT NEED TO COMPLETED
plan for their PBL with their colleagues.
Co-Teaching Strategy/Differentiation
Students will work together in a collaborative group

Evaluate:
In their Group Prezi Presentation on their specific ecosystem. Students will provide examples of survival
methods (how to be fit for their environment), sustainability projects, and finally give overall description of
their ecosystem.
With their group they will create a to-do list and cross off according when each part of the presentation
should be complete by and which by responsible by which group member.
Check for Quick Understanding:
When is ____ due?
What is an Ecosystem?
Have you completed a To-Do List?