This middle school unit was designed to support the middle school NGSS related to Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics integrated with elements of related Earth science NGSS (Human Impact). The unit includes five chapters, each focused on a specific phenomenon related to ecosystem disruption, including questions around the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone and the invasion of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes and the Hudson River. © Regents of the University of California
To download a zip folder with teacher and student resources including student assessments and rubrics, visit NGSS Middle School: Disruptions in Ecosystems.
For those teaching 6th grade in an elementary school setting, instead of middle school with significant dedicated time for science, STEMAZing Teacher Leader Annette Koweek recommends doing the first chapter of this unit spread out over 30 min class times. It really covers the first three 6th grade life science standards by itself. She usually adds extra practice with other food webs, energy pyramids, etc… and reminds you to make sure to include more practice with the science and engineering practices of those standards. If you have time, you could go into the other chapters for more in-depth learning/practice.
She also uses supplemental materials to teach the fourth life science standard for 6th grade (6.L2U1.14) including the MIT Edgerton Center’s LEGO Molecules lessons on photosynthesis.
