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The Sixth Mass Extinction?

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

The Sixth Mass Extinction?

URL:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/lesson/sixth-mass-extinction/

Content Source:

National Geographic

Type:

Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

Students collaboratively investigate our planet’s five mass extinctions and the possibility of a sixth mass extinction. Then, students explore the Anthropocene Epoch’s cultural and environmental complexities and impacts before selecting a biome and endangered species that exist within it to be the focus of their research throughout the rest of the unit. They predict how human activity has impacted these biomes and species. This lesson is part of the Engaging in the Fight Against Extinction unit.

Content Standard(s):

Science
SC2015 (2015)
Grade: 9-12
Environmental Science

6 ) Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe how human activity may affect biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms, including threatened and endangered species.

NAEP Framework

NAEP Statement::
L12.7: Although the interrelationships and interdependence of organisms may generate biological communities in ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years, ecosystems always change when climate changes or when one or more new species appear as a result of migration or local evolution. The impact of the human species has major consequences for other species.

Unpacked Content

Scientific And Engineering Practices:

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and Effect; Systems and System Models

Disciplinary Core Idea: Earth and Human Activity

Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:

Obtain and evaluate information about how human activity may affect biodiversity, including threatened and/or endangered species.
Obtain and evaluate information about how human activity may affect genetic variation of organisms (for multiple species).
Use at least two different formats (e.g., orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically) to communicate scientific information regarding the effect of human activity on biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms.

Teacher Vocabulary:

speciation
extinction
genetic variation
anthropogenic
overpopulation
overexploitation
habitat destruction/habitat alteration
pollution
invasive species
climate change
threatened species
endangered species
habitat fragmentation
desertification
deforestation
urbanization
manufacturing
globalization
ecological indicators

Knowledge:

Students know:

Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species (speciation) and decreased by the loss of species (extinction).
Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity.
Anthropogenic (caused by humans) changes in the environment can disrupt an ecosystem and threaten the survival of some species.
Examples of human activities that may adversely affect biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms include but are not limited to: overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and introduction of invasive species.
Knowledge of the various formats to communicate scientific information (e.g., oral, graphical, textual, and mathematical).

Skills:

Students are able to:

Evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple credible sources about the effects of various human activities on biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms.
Synthesize evidence to describe how human activities, like overpopulation, urbanization, pollution, etc. affect biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms.
Communicate informative/explanatory conclusions through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Understanding:

Students understand that:

Changes in the physical environment can be created by naturally occurring events or may be human induced. Regardless of the cause, these changes may have contributed to the expansion of some species, the emergence of new and distinct species and the decline, and the possible extinction, of some species.
Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species and decreased by the loss of species.
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.
Sustaining biodiversity so that the functioning of an ecosystem can be maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value.

AMSTI Resources:

ASIM Activities include:
Bio-Assessment
*Use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others (ALCOS Appendix A, p. 65)

Alabama Alternate Achievement Standards

AAS Standard:
SCI.AAS.ES.HS.6- Describe human activities that may affect ecosystems in positive and negative ways.

Tags:

Anthropocene Epoch, biome, endangered, extinction

License Type:

Custom Permission Type
See Terms: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/terms-of-service/
For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings

Comments

This resource provided by:

Author:

Stephanie Carver

ALEX Classroom Resource

The Sixth Mass Extinction?