Self-Paced Classroom
Unit 5 – Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
In this unit, you are going to work at your own pace to learn about Photosynthesis, Respiration, Food
Chains and Ecosystems. There are some activities that everyone MUST do, and then you may choose
the remaining activities. To earn full participation points this week, you must complete the required
activities from the list, before the end of the class period on Friday. As you complete an activity, show it
to your teacher to earn credit. Each activity is worth 10 points towards your participation grade for this
unit. If you complete extra activities, then you can earn bonus points and will be better prepared for
your quiz each week! You may choose what order to complete the activities in.
You are encouraged to bring your own devices to access some of the videos and activities. Some
computers will be provided and there will be some days we have the computer lab or library reserved.
Additionally, each week we will have at least 1 lab or hands-on activity that we will complete together as
a class.
Week 1 – February 9 – 13
Weekly Topic: Ecosystems, Cycles, and Vocabulary
Required Activities:
Complete all
1. Read Glencoe textbook pages 532 – 537 and complete Note Taking Worksheet on page _____ of
your notebook.
2. Read Glenoe textbook pages 539 – 543 and complete Note-Taking Worksheet on page ____ of your
notebook.
3. Read Glencoe textbook pages 544 – 549 and complete Note-Taking Worksheet on page ____ of your
notebook.
4. Complete Key Terms assignment for Chapter 18
5. Watch Brainpop video on “Ecosystems” and complete questions on page ____ of your notebook.
6. Watch Brainpop video on “Water Cycle” and map a concept map on page _____ of your notebook.
7. Watch Brainpop video on “Carbon Cycle” and complete questions on page ____ of your notebook.
8. Watch Brainpop Video on “Nitrogen Cycle” and complete questions on page _____ of your
notebook
Choice Activities: Choose at least 2. Put the choice activities on pages _____ and ____ in your
notebook.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Watch Study Jams video on Carbon Cycle. Take notes over the video
Complete “Growing from the Ashes” Enrichment page
Complete “Directed Reading” Questions from textbook Chapter 18.
Complete “What’s What in the ecosystem” activity
Homework for this week: “Do we drink the same water the dinosaurs did?”
Assignment
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Choice Activity
Choice Activity:
Date Completed
Teacher Check
Week 2 – February 17 – 20
Weekly Topic: Photosynthesis
Required Activities: Must complete ALL
1. Read Cells and Heredity textbook pages 44 – 48 and complete Guided Reading Questions on
page ____ of your notebook.
2. Watch Brainpop movie on “Photosynthesis” and answer questions on page _____ of your
notebook.
3. Complete Photosynthesis Review Questions on page ______ of your notebook.
4. Complete Photosynthesis Gizmo on www.explorelearning.com and glue in LAB notebook
5. Complete the “Photosynthesis Webquest” and questions on page ____ of your lab notebook
Choice Activities: Choose at least 2. Put the choice activities on pages _____ and ____ in your
notebook.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Play “What Plants Need” game on Brainpop and answer quiz questions
Complete “Chlorophyll and the Color of Light” questions.
Complete “Testing of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide” questions
Play the “photosynthesis game” and draw the completed reaction.
Homework for this week: “Why do Pandas eat leaves and Polar Bears eat meat?”
Assignment
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5.
Choice Activity:
Choice Activity:
Date Completed
Teacher Check
Week 3 – February 23 – 27
Weekly Topic: Respiration
Required Activities: Must complete ALL
1. Read Cells and heredity textbook pages 49 – 53 and complete Guided Reading Questions on
page ____ of your notebook.
2. Read Glencoe textbook pages 261 – 265 and complete guided reading questions on page ____
of your notebook.
3. Complete “Energy for Life” Review
4. Watch Brainpop movie on “Cellular Respiration” and answer questions on page _____ of your
notebook.
5. Watch Brainpop movie on “Metabolism” and answer questions on page _____ of your
notebook.
6. Watch Brainpop movie on “Food Chains” and answer questions on page ____ of your notebook.
7. Watch Brainpop movie on “Energy Pyramid” and answer questions on page _____ of your
notebook.
Choice Activities: Choose at least 2. Put the choice activities on pages _____ and ____ in your
notebook.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Play “Food Chain Game” on Brainpop and answer quiz questions
Answer “Plant Antics” questions
Complete “History of Fermentation” questions
Complete “Everybody’s in a chain” activity
Homework for this week: Is the lion really king of the jungle?
Assignment
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Choice Activity:
Choice Activity:
Date Completed
Teacher Check
Self-Paced Classroom Behavior Expectations
1. I agree to use my science class time to complete science work only. I will not work on assignments for
other classes or waste time.
2. I will do my own work. I will not copy off of other students.
3. I will not prevent other students from completing assignments in class.
4. If I am absent from class, I understand that I need to work outside of class for approximately 60
minutes to complete assignments. Copies of assignments can be found on our class webpage and on
our class Edmodo page.
5. As I finish an assignment, I will show my teacher the completed assignment so it can receive a grade. I
will use the answer key to check my work and try to figure out my mistakes before moving on to the
next assignment.
6. I understand that I should complete about 2 assignments each day in order to be finished with the
appropriate assignments on time.
7. I understand that I still have a homework assignment that will be due on Friday.
8. I understand that I have a quiz each Friday over the material I was supposed to accomplish.
9. I will ask for help from my teacher, but I will not interrupt my teacher when she is working with
another student. I also understand that my teacher will not be able to work with me for a long period of
time because she has other students she needs to help.