GCED Lesson Plan

Lesson Topic: Human Impacts on Biodiversity Grade level: 10-12

Length of lesson: 50 minutes

Content Standards (NGSS):

HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human
activities on the environment and biodiversity.  
Understanding(s)/goals Essential Question(s):
Students will understand:  What is a way in which humans
 how humans impact the impact the environment and
environment and biodiversity biodiversity?
 how to use technology to clearly  How can humans reduce their
and concisely explain complex negative impact?
chemical processes
Student objectives (outcomes):
Students will be able to:
 identify a human impact on the environment and biodiversity.
 use technology to explain the chemical process involved for the specific human
impact.
 propose a possible solution to the problem using credible evidence to support
claims.
Materials:
 iPad
 internet access
 app/program to present information
 rubric
 list of potential topics/credible sources
Assessment:
 Teacher will check in with students at the end of the block to assess progress
and understanding of the research process.
 Teacher will review student work on the goal-setting exercise.
 Teacher will grade projects according to the rubric.
 Teacher will compare students’ goals to their grade on the project and consider
their goals when providing feedback.

Learning Activities:
 Teacher will begin by playing two short videos that will serve as an
anticipatory set to the lesson. Below are the links to the two videos.
 His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World
 What really happens to the plastic you throw away – Emma Bryce
 Teacher will assign a goal-setting exercise to start class. Students will set goals
for what they would like to gain from the lesson (knowledge/skills) as well as
 how they would like to perform on the assessment. (10 minutes)
 After students complete the goal-setting exercise, teacher will introduce the
assignment by going over the rubric and providing examples of apps/programs
students can use to explain the chemical process of a specific human impact on
biodiversity. (5 minutes)
 Students will work in class on identifying a topic and gathering information
from credible sources. Teacher will provide a list of potential topics and a list
of credible sources to use. Students may choose a topic and cite sources that are
not on the lists, however the lists will help guide students that would otherwise
struggle to choose a topic and identify credible sources. (25 minutes)
 Teacher will check in with each student during the block to approve their topic
and guide them toward credible sources. Teacher will also ask students to share
what app they plan on using to complete the assignment (they may use any app
they wish to explain the process). Teacher will make sure each student has
selected a topic and has begun the process of gathering information by the end
of class.
 Students will have a week to complete the assignment, with opportunities to
check in with the teacher for additional assistance.