Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Humans and the Environment

Name: Brittany Bessent

Content Area: Biology

Grade Level: 9/10

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and
biodiversity.
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience. A complex set of interactions within an ecosystem can keep its
numbers and types of organisms relatively constant over long periods of time under stable conditions. If a modest
biological or physical disturbance to an ecosystem occurs, it may return to its more or less original status (i.e., the
ecosystem is resilient), as opposed to becoming a very different ecosystem. Extreme fluctuations in conditions or the size
of any population, however, can challenge the functioning of ecosystems in terms of resources and habitat availability.
(HS-LS2-2),(HS-LS2-6) Moreover, anthropogenic changes (induced by human activity) in the environmentincluding
habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation, and climate changecan disrupt an
ecosystem and threaten the survival of some species. (HS-LS2-7)
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions When evaluating solutions, it is important to take into account a range of
constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, and to consider social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
(secondary to HS-LS2-7),(secondary to HS-LS4-6)
LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species (speciation) and decreased by
the loss of species (extinction). (secondary to HS-LS2-7) Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other
benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through
overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change.
Thus sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and
enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or
inspirational value. (secondary to HS-LS2-7), (HS-LS4-6)
Stability and Change. Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain
stable. (HS-LS2-6),(HS-LS2-7) Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 912 builds on K8 experiences and progresses to explanations and
designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific
ideas, principles, and theories. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on
scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations. (HS-LS2-7)

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

What are ways humans impact the environment?

What are possible solutions to reduce the impacts?

How does population and carrying capacity relate to the environment?

Unit Summary:

Students are to learn the implications of humans on the environment. They will
understand how it relates to them. Students are to answer questions relating to
impacts on environment and come up with possible solutions to the negative
impacts on the environment. Students should understand population and carrying
capacity, and how human population affects the environment. Students should
complete the guided notes along with lecture, conduct brainstorming in order to
access prior knowledge, and complete assignments and assessments to assess
how they are understanding the unit. By the end of the unit students will have a
complete understanding of human impact on the environment and have ideas on
how impacts can be reduced.
Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
Students should brainstorm their prior
knowledge by discussing how they think
they impact the environment, before
completing the first lesson.

Formative:
Students will complete a Quizlet
flashcards for practice and then move on
to the Quizlet quiz.

Summative:
Students will complete a final project
where they choose one implication of
humans on the environment and create a
poster in detail on that impact. The
poster will include possible solutions for
the impact.

Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:
Students are to
understand the basics
of ecology, as it
relates to the
environment and
human activity, as
well as population.

Acceptable Evidence
(Assessments):
Webercise uses
interactive websites
to understand
impacts and how they
relate to population.
Students complete it
with correct answers
and understanding.

Lesson Activities:
Teacher lecture with prezi to give an overview of the unit, including population and
carrying capacity, human impacts, and possible solutions. Students are to complete
guided notes with the lecture to make sure they are following along and
understanding the content.

(Rubric)
Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:
Students are to come
up with ways they
impact the
environment
Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective:
Students are to
illustrate solutions for
the negative
implications of
humans on the
environment.

Acceptable Evidence:

Lesson Activities:

Completed graphic
organizer with correct
answers and analysis.
(Rubric) Score is at
least a 3.

Students are to brainstorm in order to access prior knowledge. Students are to

complete graphic organizer.

Acceptable Evidence:

Lesson Activities:

Poster project
(Rubric) is at least a
3.

Students will complete a quiz and flash cards activity on the Quizlet for further
understanding and comprehension of human impact on the environment and
population size effect.

Unit Resources:
Rubistar- This is a great resource to build rubrics. You have the option to choose what the assignment is and pic topics you want
included in the rubric. A rubric is generated, and you are able to edit it how you wish, then export it to excel, or save it.
Quizlet- The Quizlet webpage for the unit, with flash cards and test pages.
Prezi- A great website to create a lesson, lecture, or presentation.

Useful Websites:

Webercise resources
National Geographic
BioInteractive
EPA Ohio
Graphic Organizer Resources
Pollution
Pollution Continued

Habitat Loss 1
Habitat Loss 2
Invasive Species