Materials List: seeds for germination, potting soil, plant pots or containers, clear container, access to a computer program to create a simple graph, science learning logs

Following instruction on limiting factors and carrying capacity, use a local area to identify limiting factors in the area that might affect both plant and animal populations. Compare and contrast how biotic and abiotic factors could affect carrying capacity and limiting factors in a local ecosystem. Provide students illustrations or graphs showing how overpopulation can affect carrying capacity of the ecosystem. These references are found in most student textbooks.  Have students identify places in the selected area in which carrying capacity has affected a population’s growth. Instruct students to record their findings in their science learning logs (view literacy strategy descriptions) and share through class discussion.  Science learning logs are student created booklets used to record information as it relates to the text

Have students design an experiment to determine how a particular limiting factor, such as  water, the amount of light, or soil conditions, affect the germination of seeds.  The procedure should have multiple trials and should explain why this is important in an investigation. Allow each small group of students to select the variable (limiting factor) they wish to investigate. Instruct students to record a hypothesis for the outcomes of their experiment and determine what dependent variables they will measure or describe. Have students include the use of controls, identification of variables, and step-by-step procedures with appropriate data collection, analysis, and a written conclusion. Using the collected data, require students to create graphs or charts to help interpret and explain their results. If technology is available, graphs or charts should be electronically created and analyzed.

On completion of their experiment, have students evaluate their design and results and steps for improvement.

To help students identify factors that limit the growth of a population, discuss carrying capacity as it relates to a specific ecosystem.

Background Links/Lesson/Resources:

• Ecology PPT  A power point on ecology with slides showing biotic/abiotic factors and levels of organization.

• Graphic Organizer Interactives

• Ecology (Pete’s PowerPoints)

• Biomes (Pete’s PowerPoints)

• Habitats (Pete’s PowerPoints)

• Biomes: Our Earth's Major Life Zones: A video that gives an overview of various biomes. There is teacher's guide and quiz using this video.  

• system.  
  What Is It Like Where You Live? (biomes) A great website to use for researching different biomes.

• Habitats and Biomes: informative site that students can use for research

• Ecosystems: Animal Survival eThemes
  Ecosystems: An Overview  eThemes

• A Walk in the Forest-Ecosystems: A must see site for teachers and students when reviewing ecosystems. There are several interactives to choose from with narrations. Some things that can be viewed is a frog's role in the forest, identify plants from parts, plant adaptations.

• World Biomes: informative site to research biomes and ecosystems

• Living Things in Their Environment: This lesson introduces students to ecosystems, habitats, niches, and interactions among living things.
  Ecosystems, Biomes, and Habitats: informative and interactive site on ecosystems and biomes with many links to related sites.

• Changes in an Ecosystem: site gives the most critical factors of a changing ecosystems
  Activity

• Habitat and Niche: A complete lesson and rubric for a project on habitat and niches of animals. This site also includes links to use for research with this project.

• Balance and Flux Reveal How Organisms Are Connected in Ecosystems: A lesson plan on ecosystems with linked sites to use with given activities.

• Ecology A site that gives all you need to know about ecology.

• Ecosystems and Biomes Informative and interactive site on biomes and ecosystems with an audio host if needed.

• Habitat: An Overview  eThemes

• Recording Tools (Graphs, Timelines, Graphic Organizers, Recording Tools, Investigation Tools)

• 7th Grade Science Comprehensive Curriculum Document

• Blackline Masters  

Interactives:

• Unit 5 Balance within Ecosystems

Websites:

• Mrs. Nannette Delcambre's MS Science Links! (Geared for 6th grade, however many sites can be used for other Middle School levels)



• 18 Literacy Strategies Student Interactives

• Graphic Organizer Interactives

• Science (Pete's PowerPoints)

• Lab Work/Lab Safety Pete's PowerPoints