Ecology Journal Project

Ecology Journal Project Fifth Grade Science Troy Intermediate

Carbon Cycle Acid Rain Ozone Biomes Pollution Greenhouse Effect Recycle Fossil Fuels Landfills Global Warming AQI Carbon Garbage Nitrogen Water Cycle PH scale Smog

Step 1: • You will need one of the following to be your Ecology Journal: • Spiral notebook • Journal • 20 sheets of notebook paper stapled together

Step 2: • Make a cover for your Journal • Include the following: • Your first and last name • Your Teachers name • The Title: “Ecology Journal” • A picture of something that comes to mind when you think of the word “Ecology” (it can be anything or several things – be creative)

Step 3: • You need to number and label the pages in your journal • (explain how to do this after presentation is reviewed)

Step 4: • On page #1 make a K-W-L chart by dividing the page into 3 columns. • Above the first column put a “K = Know” and in this column write what you think you know about “Ecology”. This can be facts, words, ideas. Don’t worry if you don’t have too many things listed. If you’re not sure if it is Ecology put a ? Next to it.

Step 4: continued • In the second column put a “W = What I want to know” then list anything you want to know about Ecology. • In the last column put an “L = what I learned” For now this column will remain blank but as soon as you learn something knew about Ecology you can return to this page and fill in the “L” column.

Directions • In this activity you will be visiting many websites that contain information about various Ecology topics. To get to the website just double click on the link. • Once you are at the site you will record what you have learned in your Ecology journal.

Tips for Success • In order to learn you will have to READ the information at each website. Do not be afraid to click on objects and explore links related to each site. You may even play the games but first complete any assigned questions related to the site. • The only way you can learn is to READ – All answers can be found on these websites – do not give up – keep searching!!!!!

Intro. to Ecology • Copy the following questions into your journal on the Ecology page. • Ecology is the study of how ________ and __________ parts of the environment interact with and depend on each other. • “Eco” = _________ “logos” = _________ • What is an Ecosystem? (click on the word) • Describe a producer and list 2 examples. • Describe a consumer.

Ecology (continued) • Copy the chart showing the four different types of consumers into your journal. • Draw your own example of a food chain. • Click on this link to find the answers: • Ecology Facts- Dialogue for Kids (Idaho Public Television)

Greenhouse Effect • Turn to the Greenhouse Effect Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy the 4 questions into your journal then return to this slide and click on the link. • http://www.eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/warming4.htm

Greenhouse Effect • How is our planet earth like a greenhouse? • The energy from the ______ is trapped on earth. • What gases are trapped in the atmosphere? • Too many greenhouse gases cause the temperatures of the earth to ________.

Greenhouse Effect (part 2) • Before clicking on the link turn to the Greenhouse Effect Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy questions 5 – 10 into your journal. • http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/global_warming_version2.html • To answer the questions you will be watching a movie but there is no sound you must read the word boxes on the screen. Follow the directions at the website to view the entire movie.

Greenhouse Effect (part 2) • Why are some greenhouse gases good? • What effect do people have on greenhouse gases? • List some ways that the gas carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. • List 3 fossil fuels. Explain how they contribute to the release of carbon dioxide. • How does the heat get trapped on Earth’s surface? • If the Earth’s temperature rises 1 degree, what problems might develop?

Greenhouse Effect (Extra) • The following website may be helpful if you need more information on the greenhouse effect. It even includes a diagram. • http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/greenhouse.html

Acid Rain • Before clicking on the link turn to the Acid Rain Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy the questions into your journal. • The Tale of Lucy Lake: http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_kids/index.htm • Click on the words “The Tale of Lucy Lake” on the left side of your screen. Then follow the directions on the screen.

Acid Rain (Lucy Lake) • What causes acid rain? • What are fossil fuels? • What are some solutions to the problem of acid rain?

Acid Rain – PH scale • Before clicking on the link turn to the Acid Rain Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy the questions into your journal. • pH scale: http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/acid_rain.htm

Acid Rain – PH scale • What does pH mean? • What is the pH of normal rain? • Where is Acid Rain a problem? • What effect does acid rain have on living organisms? • What effect does acid rain have on non-living things?

SMOG • Copy the following questions into your journal on the SMOG page. • What creates SMOG? • What are the bad gases? • Click on the following link to find the answers - http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/kids/airquality.html

SMOG City • Smog City is an interactive air pollution simulator that shows how your choices, environmental factors, and land use contribute to air pollution. • Before clicking on the link copy the questions from the next slide into your journal on the SMOG City page. • http://www.smogcity.com/welcome.htm - now click on “run SMOG City” (click on the HELP button for explanations of controls)

SMOG City • List at least four things that affect the ozone levels throughout the day. • What was the health effect at peak ozone level during your simulation? • Try the simulations again. What changes did you make that effected the ozone levels? Was it a positive change or a negative change?

Air Pollution • Before clicking on the link turn to the Air Pollution Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy the questions into your journal. • Click on the following link to find the answers to these questions: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids.index

Air Pollution • What does AQI stand for? • What does the AQI tell us? • Define a pollutant and explain why it is harmful. • What does EPA stand for? • What is the EPA’s job? • The Ozone protects us from _________. • Bad Ozone is sometimes called ______. • ____ and ____ are sources of Ozone. • Identify two ways that you can help reduce air pollution. See the video/cartoon

Air Pollution Extra Credit • What effect can air pollution have on a person’s health? • What is the AQI for today in Lorain, Ohio? • Hint: click on http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids.aqi3 • Click on “Where I Live” • Locate your state and then the city closest to your residence city.

Eco-Storybook • In these four eco-stories you will help the characters choose a path. Will your character survive? • Eco-Storybook: The Great Frog Dilemma • Eco-Storybook: The Journey of a Wildlife Photographer • Eco-Storybook Great Garbage Caper • Eco-Storybook Sam's Vacation • Which story did you choose? • What was the main idea in the story. • Describe one of the choices you had to make and explain how it affected the outcome of the story. • Reveal at least one thing you learned from this story.

Landfills • Before clicking on the link turn to the Landfill Page in your journal. • Go to the next slide and copy the questions into your journal. • At this website you will need to read sections 1,2,4 and 8 to answer the questions. http://people.howstuffworks.com/landfill.htm

Landfills • How much garbage does one person generate per day? Per year? • What two items make up the most trash in a landfill? • What is the benefit of a landfill? • What happens to the trash in a landfill?

Water Pollution • Copy the following questions in your journal on the Water Pollution page. • What is storm water pollution? • Have you ever contributed to urban runoff? Explain…. • List at least four pollutants that can float down a storm drain and contaminate our water. • What are 3 things you can do to pollute less? • Click on the link to find the answers -http://www.oceansidecleanwaterprogram.org/kids.asp

Water Treatment Process • Turn to the Water Treatment Page in your journal and copy the following question: • List the five steps in the Water Treatment Process and then briefly describe what happens at each step. • Click on this link to see the process: http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/kids/watertreatmentplant/index.html

Careers in Ecology • Copy the questions below into your journal on the “Career Page” then click here to find the answers: http://nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/ecology/faq.html#ecologist • What does an Ecologist do? • How much $$ does an Ecologist make? • What do you need to do to become an Ecologist?

Evaluation • Turn to the last page in your journal. • Write a paragraph describing the 3 most important things you learned about Ecology. • What changes do you plan to make in your daily life in order to improve our environment?

Poetry Extensions • Write a poem about ECOLOGY choose on of the following formats. • Acrostic - first letter of first word of each line spells out the topic of poem (ECOLOGY) click here for example http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/acrostic/ • Cinquain - 5 lines, unrhymed, lines can be counted in syllables or words (first line one word/two syllables; second line two words/four syllables about subject, third line three words/six syllables about subject; fourth line four words/eight syllables about subject; fifth line one word/two syllables synonym for subject). Click here for an example: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/davidc/6c_files/Poem%20pics/cinquaindescrip.htm

Poetry (continued) • Diamante - unrhymed, 7 lines (first line subject; second line three ing words that describe subject; third line four words, the first two describe the subject, the last two describe subject's opposite; fifth line three words that describe the opposite word, sixth line two words that describe the opposite word and seventh line one word that is the opposite of the subject). Click here for an example: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/diamante/

Additional Links • This link provides 8 information links related to Ecology: http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/kids/information.html • Try your hand at this on-line Acid Rain crossword puzzle: http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/acidrain-cw.htm • Eco-Kids Homepage - http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm

Additional Links (2) • For more Biome facts click this link - http://mbgnet.net/

Activeboard Links for Teachers • Link for Intro to Ecology: • Ecology Facts- Dialogue for Kids (Idaho Public Television) • Great link for Biomes: • http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season4/ecology/biomes.cfm • Another link for Biomes: http://mbgnet.net/

Cycles of the Earth • This interactive water cycle is very helpful: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.html • Try this website to see diagrams of the Carbon, Water and Nitrogen Cycles: http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/cycles1.htm • Another resources for the “cycles”: http://www.realtrees4kids.org//sixeight/cycles.htm#nitrogen

Cycles of the Earth with Quizzes • See this link for interactive descriptions of the water cycle and carbon cycle followed by a QUIZ http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/version2.html

Fun & Games with Ecology • Visit Eco-kids online: EcoKids Home • On the Trail of the Missing Ozone – comic strip about the ozone: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/missoz/index.html • Visit the Environmental Kids Club for some fun educational activities that involve Ecology: • Recycle City • Waste No words

Oh Deer! • OVERVIEW: This lesson in environmental education is necessary to show children the interdependence of animal life with their environment. • http://www.col-ed.org/cur/sci/sci35.txt • Students should bring their data to media class to construct a line graph using Excel.

The Web of Life The web of life connects grass to fish, trees to turtles, sky to caterpillars. The web of life connects me to everything that came before, even to the moment when earth herself was born. To break the web of life is to fill the universe with pain. Nancy Wood, 1993

Ecology Journal Project