"Wetlands: An Important and Unique Ecosystem"
A Thematic Unit Plan
Wetlands unit design team
Ester Stanton
Barry Collins
Christie Herndon

       Theme: Wetlands Estimated Length: 2-3 weeks Audience: High School

       General Objective:

       Content
       * Students will gain insight in identifying a wetland based on several elements: soil, water, plants, animals
          (National Science Education Standard C: Interdependence of Organisms: Energy and nutrients cycle
          through an ecosystem.).
       * Students will be able to distinguish a wetland niche from a habitat (National Science Education Standard
          C: Behavior of Organisms: Living things respond to stimuli in ways that are both genetic and learned. ).
       * Students will gain an awareness of wetland organismal diversity, particular in regards to plants and birds
          (National Science Education Standard C: Biological Evolution: Change through time has ensured adaptation
          to changing environments.) .

       Lesson Plans:
          Wetlands
          Plants
          Birds

          Links to other wetland sites
 
 

       Possible Unit Activities and Lessons:

       Chemistry
         What is the chemical makeup of wetland soils?
         What is the chemical makeup of wetland water?
         Can wetland waters be used for safe drinking water?
         Can nutrient cycling be monitored in a wetland?

       Ecology
         What is a wetland?
         What types of wetlands are in Tennessee?
         Does the diversity of wetlands depend on the type of wetland?
         How many acres of wetlands are in Tennessee and where are they?
         How and why are wetlands legally protected?

       Biology
         What animals and plants live in wetlands?
         How are animals and plants adapted specifically to wetlands?
         Are there any endangered species who occupy niches exclusive to
         wetlands?
         Are food webs in wetlands similar to other ecosystems?
         Introductory Lesson Plan: This is a link to an introductory lesson plan on wetlands which focuses on the
         wetland as an ecosystem classified by soil type, water flow, and plants. This lesson also distinguishes habitat
         from niche.

       Evaluation Techniques:
       * Journal samples, concept mapping, notes and drawings could be compiled.
       * Daily quizzes which are aligned with instruction could be given.
       * Students can be given a unit exam.
       * Each lesson contains a list of activities that could be used as an assessment to evaluate progress and
         learning. See each lesson for descriptions of various assessments.

       Materials: The materials needed depends on the activities chosen. Here is a brief, general list.

       * Suitable ecology or biology text books which accompany lesson content are needed.
       * Library books specific to content covered would be useful.
       * Magazines with pictures of wetlands, birds, habitats, plants, etc.
       * Slides of wetland birds or local birds.
       * Audio recording of bird calls.
       * Internet access.
       * Plant and bird identification books.
       * Ten or more plants and related dichotomous key.
       * Construction paper, markers, plain white paper, scissors.
 

Barry Collins

     
Ester Stanton