Ward's World Activity Guides

Page 1 + ward ' s science Marine Zones & Habitats Mural/Diorama Submitted by: Jane Schuster Recommended Grade Level(s): Appropriate for: 9–12 Time Requirements: Activity Time: 30 minutes Teaching Topics & Concepts: • Can be completed in approximately two 1-hour class periods; Additional time outside of class may be required. Materials: • 1 piece of butcher paper/display paper (6 foot length)—provided by teacher • Color photos or drawings of the organisms living in the assigned habitat (student gathered). • Markers, crayons, colored pencils • Glue, scissors National Science Standards Alignment: LS 4c: Organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The interrelationships and interdependencies of these organisms may generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years. LS 4d: Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite size, but environments and resources are finite. This fundamental tension has profound effects on the interactions between organisms. LS 6b: Organisms have behavioral responses to internal changes and to external stimuli. Responses to external stimuli can result from interactions with the organism's own species and others, as well as environmental changes; these responses either can be in- nate or learned. The broad patterns of behavior exhibited by animals have evolved to ensure reproductive success. Animals often live in unpredictable environments, and so their behavior must be flexible enough to deal with uncertainty and change. Plants also respond to stimuli. LS 4e: Human beings live within the world's ecosystems. Increasingly, humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, technology, and consumption. Human destruction of habitats through direct harvesting, pollution, atmospheric changes, and other factors is threatening current global stability, and if not addressed, ecosystems will be irreversibly affected. SPSP 3c: Humans use many natural systems as resources. Natural systems have the capacity to reuse waste, but that capacity is limited. Natural systems can change to an extent that exceeds the limits of organisms to adapt naturally or humans to adapt tech- nologically. SPSP 4a: Natural ecosystems provide an array of basic processes that affect humans. Those processes include maintenance of the quality of the atmosphere, generation of soils, control of the hydrologic cycle, disposal of wastes, and recycling of nutrients. Humans are changing many of these basic processes, and the changes may be detrimental to humans. SPSP 5b: Human activities can enhance potential for hazards. Acquisition of resources, urban growth, and waste disposal can accelerate rates of natural change. SPSP 6e: Humans have a major effect on other species. For example, the influence of humans on other organisms occurs through land use—which decreases space available to other species—and pollution—which changes the chemical composition of air, soil, and water. Lesson Objective Students will: • Research aspects of your Zone/Habitat, including the physical characteristics and the organisms living on/or around one; and • Create a mural or diorama replicating that zone, a zone food web, world locations and the threats facing your zone today. Each group will create their own mural, diorama (model), or combination of both.

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