Teaching Duration = 6+ Weeks

The Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit includes a 984 slide Powerpoint presentation, assessment, and class notes that become the road map for an exciting and interactive unit full of lab activities, challenge questions, class notes, discussion questions, project ideas, assessments, modified assessment, Jeopardy games, answer keys, videos, and much more. View the Powerpoint road map for the unit .ppt by copying and then linking to..

Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtNY4gqulhI

Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit Part II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpKOnAaYY4Y

Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit Part III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOTRlVDyzg0

Ecology: Non-living Factors Review Game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLW7aarIp4U

Ecology: Biogeochemical Cycles Review Game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OhAUt48WUE

The Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit covers ecology topics associated with the seven abiotic factors: Light, Temperature, Water, Wind, and Fire. This unit also covers biogeochemical cycles (See list below for more topics covered).

Text for class notes is in large print (32 font) and is placed at the top of each slide so it can seen and read from all angles of a classroom. A shade technique as well as color coding text increases student focus and allows teacher to control the pace of the lesson. Also included is a 10 page (Microsoft 2003 word doc.) assessment / bundled homework that chronologically follows the Unit Powerpoint for nightly homework and the end of the unit assessment, as well as a 8 page modified assessment. 18 pages of class notes (Word doc.) with images are also included for students who require modifications, as well as answer keys to both bundled homeworks / assessment for support professionals, teachers, and homeschool parents. 11 video shorts (FLV files) are provided and a slide within the slideshow cues teacher / parent when the videos are most relevant to play. Video shorts usually range from 2-7 minutes and are included in organized folders. Two Powerpoint Jeopardy games are included. Answers to the Powerpoint Jeopardy games are provided in Powerpoint form so students can self-assess. Lastly, several class games such as guess the hidden picture beneath the boxes, and the find the hidden owl somewhere within the slideshow are provided. Difficulty rating of 6.5 (Ten is most difficult).

Areas of Focus within The Ecology: Abiotic Factors Unit: -Abiotic Factors, Biotic Factors, The Big 7 Abiotic Factors, Organisms Range of Tolerance, Light, How light affects Organisms, Photosynthesis, Factors in the Environment that Affect the Amount of Light, How Organisms Movements are affected by light, Bioluminescence, How temperature affects organisms, Thermoregulation, Physiological Regulation, Behavioral Regulation, Adaptation, Hypothermia, Hyperthermia, Warm-Bloodedness (endothermy), Cold-Bloodedness, Hibernation / Torpor, Advantages of Warm-Bloodedness, Disadvantages of Warm-Bloodedness, Advantages of Cold-Bloodedness, Disadvantages of Cold-Bloodedness, Water, Water Requirements and Plants, Adaptations of Plants and Water, Adaptations of Animals and Water, Wind, Positives and Negatives of Wind to Organisms, How animals use Wind, How Plants use Wind, Wind Dispersal, Water Dispersal, McArthur-Wilson Island Biogeography Theory, Animal Seed Dispersal, Fire Ecology, Fire Dependence, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Carbon Cycle, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Balance, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, Importance of Phosphorus, Nutrients and Aquatic Systems, Eutrophification.

ou for your time and interest in this unit.

Sincerely,

Ryan Murphy M.Ed Less