SNC1W Grade 9 Science Course: Lessons plan and key
points
Unit 1: Biology - Sustainable Ecosystems and Climate
Change
Lesson 1: Components of Ecosystems
**Key Concepts:**
- **Producers**: Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants through
photosynthesis).
- **Consumers**: Organisms that consume other organisms for energy (e.g., herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores).
- **Decomposers**: Organisms that break down dead organic material (e.g., fungi,
bacteria).
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Introduction to Ecosystems**: Define what an ecosystem is and discuss the roles of
producers, consumers, and decomposers.
2. **Food Chains and Webs**: Explain how energy flows through an ecosystem using
examples of food chains and food webs.
3. **Activity**: Create a food web diagram for a local ecosystem (e.g., forest, pond).
4. **Discussion**: Talk about the interdependence of species within an ecosystem.
---
,Lesson 2: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
**Key Concepts:**
- **Biotic Factors**: Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals,
microorganisms).
- **Abiotic Factors**: Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, temperature,
water, soil).
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Distinguishing Factors**: Discuss examples of biotic and abiotic factors in various
ecosystems.
2. **Experiment**: Observe a small ecosystem (e.g., aquarium or terrarium) and identify
the biotic and abiotic factors.
3. **Analysis**: Discuss how abiotic factors a ect the survival of biotic components.
---
Lesson 3: Human Impact on Ecosystems
**Key Concepts:**
- **Deforestation**: The clearing of forests, leading to loss of habitat and biodiversity.
- **Pollution**: Introduction of harmful substances into the environment (e.g., air, water,
soil pollution).
- **Climate Change**: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, largely
due to human activities.
**Lesson Plan:**
, 1. **Case Studies**: Explore examples of human impact on ecosystems, such as
deforestation in the Amazon or pollution in the Great Lakes.
2. **Debate**: Hold a classroom debate on the impact of human activities on ecosystems
and how to mitigate these e ects.
3. **Project**: Research and present on a specific conservation e ort aimed at protecting
an endangered species or ecosystem.
---
Lesson 4: Climate Change and Mitigation
**Key Concepts:**
- **Greenhouse Gases**: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (e.g., CO2, methane).
- **Global Warming**: The increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to
greenhouse gases.
- **Mitigation Strategies**: E orts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Introduction to Climate Change**: Explain the greenhouse e ect and its role in global
warming.
2. **Simulation**: Use an online climate change simulator to see the impact of various
factors on global temperatures.
3. **Discussion**: Talk about renewable energy sources and lifestyle changes that can
reduce carbon footprints.
4. **Assignment**: Write an essay on the importance of individual actions in combating
climate change.
---
points
Unit 1: Biology - Sustainable Ecosystems and Climate
Change
Lesson 1: Components of Ecosystems
**Key Concepts:**
- **Producers**: Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants through
photosynthesis).
- **Consumers**: Organisms that consume other organisms for energy (e.g., herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores).
- **Decomposers**: Organisms that break down dead organic material (e.g., fungi,
bacteria).
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Introduction to Ecosystems**: Define what an ecosystem is and discuss the roles of
producers, consumers, and decomposers.
2. **Food Chains and Webs**: Explain how energy flows through an ecosystem using
examples of food chains and food webs.
3. **Activity**: Create a food web diagram for a local ecosystem (e.g., forest, pond).
4. **Discussion**: Talk about the interdependence of species within an ecosystem.
---
,Lesson 2: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
**Key Concepts:**
- **Biotic Factors**: Living components of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals,
microorganisms).
- **Abiotic Factors**: Non-living components of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, temperature,
water, soil).
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Distinguishing Factors**: Discuss examples of biotic and abiotic factors in various
ecosystems.
2. **Experiment**: Observe a small ecosystem (e.g., aquarium or terrarium) and identify
the biotic and abiotic factors.
3. **Analysis**: Discuss how abiotic factors a ect the survival of biotic components.
---
Lesson 3: Human Impact on Ecosystems
**Key Concepts:**
- **Deforestation**: The clearing of forests, leading to loss of habitat and biodiversity.
- **Pollution**: Introduction of harmful substances into the environment (e.g., air, water,
soil pollution).
- **Climate Change**: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, largely
due to human activities.
**Lesson Plan:**
, 1. **Case Studies**: Explore examples of human impact on ecosystems, such as
deforestation in the Amazon or pollution in the Great Lakes.
2. **Debate**: Hold a classroom debate on the impact of human activities on ecosystems
and how to mitigate these e ects.
3. **Project**: Research and present on a specific conservation e ort aimed at protecting
an endangered species or ecosystem.
---
Lesson 4: Climate Change and Mitigation
**Key Concepts:**
- **Greenhouse Gases**: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere (e.g., CO2, methane).
- **Global Warming**: The increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to
greenhouse gases.
- **Mitigation Strategies**: E orts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases.
**Lesson Plan:**
1. **Introduction to Climate Change**: Explain the greenhouse e ect and its role in global
warming.
2. **Simulation**: Use an online climate change simulator to see the impact of various
factors on global temperatures.
3. **Discussion**: Talk about renewable energy sources and lifestyle changes that can
reduce carbon footprints.
4. **Assignment**: Write an essay on the importance of individual actions in combating
climate change.
---
