Beacon Lesson Plan LibraryFire EcologyPatrick O BryanDescriptionStudents examine the role fire plays in mantaining the physical factors of the scrub ecosystem.StandardsFlorida Sunshine State StandardsSC.G.2.4.4 The student knows that the world ecosystems are shaped by physical factors that limit their productivity. Florida Process Standards Information Managers 01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment. Materials- Pictures, slides, or overhead transparencies showing plants and animals of a scrub ecosystem.- Videos or films on ecosystems (if needed for introduction) - Textbooks with discussions on ecosystems. (if needed for introduction) - Computer with Internet access. Preparations1. Print copies of the attached file.2. Have computers available. 3. Have Websites bookmarked. Procedures1. This lesson requires a previous knowledge of abiotic and biotic factors of an ecosystem. If the students do not have the required knowledge, the teacher should lead them through a lesson of ecosystems before proceeding with this activity.2. Take a quick survey of the students' knowledge of forest fires. 3. Show and discuss pictures of forest fires from old newspaper clippings or videos. At this time, share the rubric found in the Attached Files with the students. Make sure they understand how the assignment will be assessed. 4. Have students research the physical aspects of the scrub ecosystem at the Merritt Island wildlife refuge from their Website. (See Web Links) 5. Using the Internet, students research the effect that fire has on maintaining the environmental requirements for each of the species given them. AssessmentsTeacher will assess student knowledge of the world ecosystems using the attached rubric.ExtensionsThis lesson could be expanded by going to the Web World Wonders site - videocam at NASA and use the video to try to identify areas that show the evidence of fire and have the students list the reasons why they think this area was burned in the past.Attached FilesQuestions that lead the student to an understanding of the importance of fire in the scrub ecosystem and a scoring rubric. File Extension: pdfReturn to the Beacon Lesson Plan Library. |