Week 4 - 8.2 A Local Ecosystem

Describe one learning cycle activity you would use in a Biology lesson. Give reasons why you chose this for your particular syllabus point.'

Module 8.2 A Local Ecosystem.

When it comes to learning cycle activities within a Biology lesson we must keep in mind our time limitations but also whether or not the activities which we plan actually have some core knowledge and understanding behind them.  That way the students actually are able to take something away from the lesson and not see it as a big waste of time.

The very first dot point in the module 8.2.1.2.1 Compare the abiotic characteristics, of aquatic and terrestrial environments.   In order to build the field it is essential to get the terminology across before even getting into the content.  The term abiotic must be explained and its association with terrestrial and aquatic environments.  

Modelling would be acted upon by the teacher when it comes time to split the class into groups and giving them the research task of either abiotic aquatic or abiotic terrestrial. The teacher would model the first example of what is required for each on the board. 

Jointly deconstructing would be effective once each student has contributed to their group and written their answer down on butches’ paper.  One it comes time to bring the class together to compare the two environments, I would then get the students to independently construct their knowledge and understanding by getting them to write down 2 characteristics of the environment which they did not research.

This would be able to cover the required learning cycles and get the students thinking in a proactive manner about the lesson.