September 17 + 18 

Independent Station Expectations 

You are to work ​silently​ and ​independently​ for the duration of the rotation. If you have a 
question, raise your hand so Ms. Chavez can assist you. ​Do not ask your neighbors​. 
 
If Ms. Chavez cannot promptly assist you, move on to another part of the assignment, 
leaving room for what is confusing. 
 
Use this ​Google Timer​ to time yourself for each section.​ ​Make sure to turn the sound off. 
 
I will do ​2 spot checks​ during your work time to make sure you are actively working. I 
included a reminder for when these checks will occur in your directions. 
 

Part 1 - Vocabulary​ ​(5 - 10 min) 

RIGHT SIDE 
1. Write down “​VOCABULARY​.” 
2. Copy down the words and definitions below. 
a. Nitrates​: are natural chemicals that are found in the soil, air and water 
b. Ammonium​: an important source of nitrogen for many plant species NH​4​+ 
c. Photosynthesis ​: the process by which some organisms use sunlight to make 
food from carbon dioxide and water 
d. Cellular Respiration​: cellular processes that convert nutrients into 
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy molecule 
e. Nitrogen Fixation​: chemical processes that turn nitrogen from the 
atmosphere into compounds organisms can use 
f. Nitrification​: turning ammonia or ammonium into nitrite, then nitrate 

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3. Highlight​ the vocabulary word. 
SPOT CHECK 1 
 

Part 2 - Carbon Cycle​ (​ 10 min) 

RIGHT SIDE 
1. Paste in “The Carbon Cycle” reading with glue only on the left side so that it flips 
open. (SEE PICTURE) 
2. Read and highlight the text. 
3. Underneath the passage, summarize the main ideas in bullet point notes. 
LEFT SIDE 
1. Title the section “​NUTRIENT CYCLE REFLECTIONS​.” 
2. Below the heading, copy the following question in​ blue ink​ and respond in b
​ lack 
ink​. 
3. Describe how carbon is cycled between abiotic and biotic systems​. 
a. YOUR RESPONSE IN ​BLACK INK 
4. Sentence Starters​: 
a. Carbon is cycled between abiotic and biotic systems by first…  
b. From there CO​2​ is…  
c. More CO​2​ is added to the environment by…  
SPOT CHECK 2 

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Part 3 - Nitrogen Cycle​ ​(10 min) 
RIGHT SIDE 
1. Paste in “The Nitrogen Cycle” reading with glue only on the left side so that it flips 
open. (SEE PICTURE) 

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2. Read and highlight the text. 
3. Underneath the passage, summarize the main ideas in bullet point notes. 
LEFT SIDE 
5. Continue​ in the section titled “​NUTRIENT CYCLE REFLECTIONS​.” 
6. Below the heading, copy the following question in​ blue ink​ and respond in b
​ lack 
ink​. 
7. Describe how nitrogen is cycled between abiotic and biotic systems​. 
a. YOUR RESPONSE IN ​BLACK INK 
8. Sentence Starters​: 
a. Nitrogen is cycled between abiotic and biotic systems by first…  
b. From there nitrogen is…  
c. Nitrifying bacteria then…  
d. Animals then…  
e. Denitrifying bacteria are responsible for…  
 

Part 4 - Video​ ​(10 min)  

1. Go to ​edpuzzle.com​. 
2. Log in with Gmail.  
3. Watch the video “​Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles​” and answer the questions that pop 
up in the video. 
 
Part 5 - Table of Contents Set Up​ ​(5 min) 
1. Flip to the ​second page​ in your notebook.  
2. Title this page “​TABLE OF CONTENTS​.” 
3. In ​blue ink​, create the following table in your notebook, according to the picture 
provided. 

DATE  NAME  PAGES 

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4. Fill out the table of contents in ​black ink​ for the lessons and homework 
assignments we have covered so,​ using your own page numbers and dates​.