MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-LS2-3.

[Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on describing the conservation of matter and flow of energy into and out of various ecosystems, and on defining the boundaries of the system.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include the use of chemical reactions to describe the processes.]

The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

Develop a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Food webs are models that demonstrate how matter and energy is transferred between producers, consumers, and decomposers as the three groups interact within an ecosystem. Transfers of matter into and out of the physical environment occur at every level. Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead plant or animal matter back to the soil in terrestrial environments or to the water in aquatic environments. The atoms that make up the organisms in an ecosystem are cycled repeatedly between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem.

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a natural system.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation.

Connections to other DCIs in this grade-band:

MS.PS1.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

5.LS2.A ; 5.LS2.B ; HS.PS3.B ; HS.LS1.C ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS2.A

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
SL.8.5	Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-LS2-3)
Mathematics -
6.EE.C.9	Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one quantity, thought of as the dependent variable, in terms of the other quantity, thought of as the independent variable. Analyze the relationship between the dependent and independent variables using graphs and tables, and relate these to the equation. (MS-LS2-3)

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-LS2-3.

The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

Develop a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Food webs are models that demonstrate how matter and energy is transferred between producers, consumers, and decomposers as the three groups interact within an ecosystem. Transfers of matter into and out of the physical environment occur at every level. Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead plant or animal matter back to the soil in terrestrial environments or to the water in aquatic environments. The atoms that make up the organisms in an ecosystem are cycled repeatedly between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem.

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a natural system.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation.

Connections to other DCIs in this grade-band:

MS.PS1.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

5.LS2.A ; 5.LS2.B ; HS.PS3.B ; HS.LS1.C ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS2.A

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
SL.8.5	Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-LS2-3)
Mathematics -
6.EE.C.9	Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one quantity, thought of as the dependent variable, in terms of the other quantity, thought of as the independent variable. Analyze the relationship between the dependent and independent variables using graphs and tables, and relate these to the equation. (MS-LS2-3)

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-LS2-3.

The performance expectation above was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

Develop a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Food webs are models that demonstrate how matter and energy is transferred between producers, consumers, and decomposers as the three groups interact within an ecosystem. Transfers of matter into and out of the physical environment occur at every level. Decomposers recycle nutrients from dead plant or animal matter back to the soil in terrestrial environments or to the water in aquatic environments. The atoms that make up the organisms in an ecosystem are cycled repeatedly between the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem.

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a natural system.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are understandable through measurement and observation.

Connections to other DCIs in this grade-band:

MS.PS1.B

Articulation of DCIs across grade-bands:

5.LS2.A ; 5.LS2.B ; HS.PS3.B ; HS.LS1.C ; HS.LS2.B ; HS.ESS2.A

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy -
SL.8.5	Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-LS2-3)
Mathematics -
6.EE.C.9	Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one quantity, thought of as the dependent variable, in terms of the other quantity, thought of as the independent variable. Analyze the relationship between the dependent and independent variables using graphs and tables, and relate these to the equation. (MS-LS2-3)

MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Connections to Nature of Science

Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems

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