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Friday, October 31st, 2025 - Happy Halloween! 🎃 🦇
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: Understanding forest ecosystems
Do Now
Take out your biome worksheet and half sheet of graph paper from yesterday
Next
Measure and cut a paper strip (if you didn't yesterday) to represent the biome you calculated the annual precipitation for.
As a group you will use one half sheet of graph paper to graph the temperature data for all three biomes. Make a line graph with months along the “X” axis and temperature on the “Y” axis. Each person should graph their temperature data on the SAME graph paper. Use a different color to represent each biome and make a key to show what each color represents. Make sure to title the graph and label the axes.
Exit
What is the most memorable Halloween costume you have ever worn?
Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: Forest ecosystems
Please Welcome Guest Teacher Stephanie
Do Now
P1 - find the forest biome worksheet and half sheet of graph paper on the homework table by the door
P2 - take out your biome worksheet and half sheet of graph paper from yesterday
Next
Comparing and graphing annual precipitation and temperatures for three main (world wide) forest biomes (groups of three)
Each student in the group should take responsibility for one biome. Calculate the total yearly precipitation for your biome.
On a separate sheet of paper, graph the precipitation data.
Create a cumulative bar graph for each biome type. Place the month on the “X” (horizontal) axis and precipitation on the “Y”(vertical) axis. Fill in the precipitation amount for each month and then add to that the cumulative total for all the previous months.
Using a long strip of post-it paper, make a strip the length of your precipitation total (cm), and label the biome it represents.
Exit Ticket
What is one thing you learned about your biome?
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: Forest ecosystems
Do Now
Quick jot - 5 more minutes to reflect in your notebook on a time when you have been in a forest. What do you remember about it? Where was it? What did you see, smell, hear, etc? What types of trees, plants and animals were there?
Next
Share with your table mate what you wrote about
Then, several people will share out with the whole class
Then
Final group/s share out food web and story
Last
Comparing and graphing annual precipitation and temperatures for three main (world wide) forest biomes (groups of three)
Each student in the group should take responsibility for one biome. Calculate the total yearly precipitation for your biome.
On a separate sheet of paper, graph the precipitation data.
Create a cumulative bar graph for each biome type. Place the month on the “X” axis and precipitation on the “Y” axis. Fill in the precipitation amount for each month and then add to that the cumulative total for all the previous months.
Using a long strip of post-it paper, make a strip the length of each precipitation total (cm), and label the biome it represents.
Then, each student should again take responsibility for one biome. Using the temperature data make a line graph with months along the “X” axis and temperature on the “Y” axis.
Graph the three sets of temperature data on one graph using a different color for each biome.
Make a key showing which color represents which biome
Exit Ticket
If your friend had to guess your signature rant topic what would they bet on?
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups from last week.
Have you printed out your story?
Have you displayed your story and Food Web in the hallway?
Next
Discuss how your group will share out you learned with the rest of the class.
What was your forest ecosystem? What did you learn about it? What lives there and grows there?
Who will read the story (take turns reading sections?)
Then
Groups will share out learning, display food web, and read story
Last
In your notebook, take 10 minutes to reflect on a time when you have been in a forest. What do you remember about it? Where was it? What did you see, smell, hear, etc? What types of trees, plants and animals were there? Be prepared to share out.
Exit Ticket
Would you rather drink nacho flavored Gatorade or eat Gatorade flavored nachos?
Monday, October 27th, 2025
No School - Professional Development Day for Teachers
Friday, October 24th, 2025
Fall Break - No School
Thursday, October 23rd, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups.
Next
Extension granted - this is the last day of studio time to complete your food web and story! When your group is finished with the story it needs to be printed out. Your group should find a space in the hallway to display the food web poster and your story (see me for more details on location and how to hang it up).
Then
When you are finished with the project you may use the remainder of class as GWT
Exit Ticket
Are you going to the costume ball (yes, no, or maybe)?
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups.
Next
Last day of studio time to work on your food web and story. Some things to remember...
Your atom should make several rounds through your landscape and be written with creative expression. Make sure it makes sense and is clear how your atom is moving from one organism to another.
For example: don't say "the atom was in a mouse and then it was in an owl", instead, say something like "the field mouse was so intent on storing it's extra wheat grains in it's nest, it didn't even see the screech owl swooping down with it's hungry talons"
You will be graded on your research notes, your food webs, and your final story.
Exit Ticket ⬆️
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups.
Next
Studio time. Some things to remember...
Your atom should make several rounds through the landscape and be written with creative expression.
You will be graded on your research notes, your food webs, and your final story.
Your story should be either written out neatly, or typed and printed. You might choose to display this on your food web or alongside your web.
Exit Ticket ⬆️
Monday, October 20th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups
Next
Studio time. Some things to remember...
Work as a group to create food webs to show the relationships between the organisms that can be found in your particular ecosystem.
Use the information you learned from your research and the food webs you created to create a story, similar to Aldo Leopold's essay Odyssey.
Embody the journey of an atom through your particular ecosystem.
All group members should contribute to the writing. You might choose to do this through a shared Google doc, or you might choose to handwrite it and have one person write down the ideas as other members share out connections.
Your atom should make several rounds through the landscape and be written with creative expression.
You will be graded on your research notes, your food webs, and your final story.
Exit Ticket
Would you rather be a helicopter pilot or the captain of a ship?
Friday, October 17th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups
Next
Work as a group to create food webs to show the relationships between the organisms that can be found in your particular ecosystem.
Then
Using the information you learned from your research and the food webs you created, begin to create a story, similar to Aldo Leopold's essay Odyssey. You should embody the journey of an atom through your particular ecosystem. All group members should contribute to the writing. You might choose to do this through a shared Google doc, or you might choose to handwrite it and have one person write down the ideas as members share out connections. Your atom should make several rounds through the landscape and be written with creative expression. You will be graded on your research notes, your food webs, and the final story.
Exit Ticket
What would be a good character trait for a detective to have?
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Get into your forest ecosystem groups
Next
Continue your research. Make sure you are taking notes in your notebook.
Share what you learned with your group members.
Create food webs to show the relationships between the organisms that can be found in your ecosystem.
Then
Using the information you learned from your research and food webs, begin to create a story, similar to Aldo Leopold's essay Odyssey. You should embody the journey of an atom through your particular ecosystem. All group members should contribute to the writing ideas. You might choose to do this through a shared Google doc, or you might choose to handwrite it and have one person write down the ideas as members share out connections. Your atom should make several rounds through the landscape and be written with creative expression.
Exit Ticket
Share a connection between at least three organisms found in the ecosystem you researched
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Do Now
Did you turn in your Carbon Sequestration packet? The Atom Adventures worksheet?
Next
Provide feedback on Jeidy's project
Then, collect your feedback from me if you haven't received it yet. Read and reflect on your feedback.
Last, and share something you would consider changing or doing differently based on the feedback you received - go around
Then
Get into your groups from yesterday
Continue your research on aspects of your assigned forest ecosystem
Create food webs to show the relationships between the organisms that can be found in your ecosystem
Exit
What is something one of your teachers says all the time?
Tuesday, October 14th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, computer
Learning objective: nutrient cycling and Wiscosnin forest eosystems
Do Now
Turn & talk - What is one human action that could be taken to make the unhealthy journey more healthy for an atom?
Next
Group research on Wisconsin forest ecosystems
Each member should read the handout provided. Highlight or underline important points.
Then, divide the task of extended research among your group
Animals (birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, detritivores)
Plants (flowers, shrubs, trees, native species, introduced species)
Habitat, niches, unique features, migration patterns
Then
Create food webs for your ecosystem
Exit Ticket
Something you learned about your assigned ecosystem
Monday, October 13th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, Atom Adventures worksheet
Learning objective: examine the role of atoms traveling through varying landscapes
Do Now
Venn diagram - compare and contrast the journeys of X and Y
Next
Work with a partner to take on the role of an atom traveling thorough the landscape (kinesthetic activity)
Then
Discuss the differences between the two landscapes (healthy vs. unhealthy)
Atom Adventures worksheet
Exit Ticket
Where is your go-to-spot when you need time alone?
Friday, October 10th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, "Odyssey" essay
Learning objective: discuss and analyze an essay by Aldo Leopold
Do Now
Turn and talk - summarize what you understand the Odyssey essay to be about
Next
Continue class discussion about the essay and small group analysis of individual sections.
Pick up where we left off yesterday.
Where and how did X travel on it's journey?
Where and how did Y travel on it's journey?
Exit Ticket
Why were the journeys of X and Y different?
Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, "Odyssey" essay
Learning objective: discuss an essay by Aldo Leopold
Do Now
One to three words to describe your initial thoughts about the essay "Odyssey"?
Next
Class discussion about the essay and small group analysis of individual sections
Where and how did X travel on it's journey?
Exit Ticket
One word for how you feel about fall
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
Please Welcome Guest Teacher Nanette
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook/notebook, web-quest worksheet, "Odyssey" essay
Learning objective: Who is Aldo Leopold? Read an essay by Aldo.
Do Now
Raise your hand if you have heard of Aldo Leopold
Of those that have heard of Aldo Leopold, what kind of things is he known for?
Next
You will conduct and Aldo Leopold mini web-quest. Use the following websites to answer the questions.
Aldo Leopold Foundation
The Ethical Ecologist
Then
Read the essay (independently) by Aldo Leopold called "Odyssey"
Read it once fully without taking notes
Then go back a read it again. Annotate using the CUS and discuss method. This means you will circle any words that you are not familiar with. Underline supporting details (details that support the main idea), and star the main ideas.
Look up the words you didn't understand and write down their definitions on the essay or a blank piece of paper
Last
Parter up with your table mate and discuss what you think this essay is about. What is Aldo talking about when he refers to "X" and "Y"?
Answer the last two questions on the worksheet with your partner
Exit Ticket
Something you learned about Aldo Leopold
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, sketchbook
Learning objective: carbon sequestration project feedback and reflection, ecosystem functions
Do Now
Podcast creators - ten minutes to review peer feedback and decide as a group what your top three take aways are
Next
Visual arts gallery walk. Ladder of feedback comment cards.
Then
Review the term ecosystem
Define a forest ecosystem
Discuss ecosystem functions
Natural processes card sort (table partners will match their natural process card/s to an ecosystem function on the board, read the definition and explain their reasoning
Exit Ticket ⬆️
Monday, October 6th, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, computer, supplies for project
Learning objective: carbon sequestration and the impacts on climate
Do Now
1. Show of hands - who is finished their project on carbon sequestration?
2. If you have a completed visual arts piece, please make sure your name is on it and then put in on the tall, black lab table in the back. I will be displaying them around the classroom for a gallery walk.
Next
Podcast project shares - audience provides Ladder of Feedback
Then
Crafting with leaves (foxes and butterflies)
If you are not finished with your project you should work on it now instead of crafting
Exit Ticket
Who or what made you smile over the weekend?
Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Carbon Sequestration projects are due today!
Today you will need: pencil, computer, supplies for project
Learning objective: carbon sequestration and the impacts on climate
Do Now
Weather report - using only weather terms (sunny, stormy, windy, etc), describe how you are feeling about your carbon sequestration project (process, completeness, quality, etc.)
Next
Last class period for project studio time.
Remember that regardless of your method (poster, painting, podcast, etc) your message should include:
1) Carbon sequestration
2) How photosynthesis plays a role
3) Why it's important for climate that trees sequester carbon
Then
Students that are finished with their project will go on a guided walk to a nearby sugar maple tree to collect fall colored leaves for a mini-project next week :)
Last
GWT if time remains
Exit Ticket ⬆️
Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
PreACT's - seniors no school, everybody else early release after testing (around noon)
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Today you will need: pencil, computer, supplies for project
Learning objective: carbon sequestration and the impacts on climate
Do Now
Turn and talk - Fill in the blanks together... Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use _____, _____, and _____ to make _____ in order to grow.
Next
Studio time - Projects are due this Friday, October 3rd. Remember that regardless of your method (poster, painting, podcast, etc) your message should include:
1) Carbon sequestration
2) How photosynthesis plays a role
3) Why it's important for climate that trees sequester carbon
Other inclusions to consider
1) Other types of ecosystem services that trees provide
2) Results from our campus tree survey
You might choose to relay your information in the form of painting, dancing, illustrating, labeling, written descriptions, verbal narrative, or an artist statement depending on your project type
Exit Ticket
What is something that you are not looking forward to about growing older?
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