A student expectation is directly related to the knowledge and skills statement, is more specific about how students demonstrate their learning, and always begins with a verb. Student expectations are further broken down into their component parts, often referred to as “breakouts.”
investigate how organisms and populations in an ecosystem depend on and may compete for biotic factors such as food and abiotic factors such as availability of light and water, range of temperatures, or soil composition;
AQUA.9.C
explain how tidal cycles influence intertidal ecology.
ENVIR.5.C
evaluate the effects of fluctuations in abiotic factors on local ecosystems and local biomes;
ENVIR.5.D
measure the concentration of dissolved substances such as dissolved oxygen, chlorides, and nitrates and describe their impacts on an ecosystem;
Recurring themes and concepts — Connections to the content
Recurring themes and concepts provide a connective structure for scientific ideas across disciplines. The connection(s) below show some ways that teachers can help students understand how the content they are learning fits into the broader understanding of science. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made but highlight some that are appropriate for this grade level.
Cause-and-effect relationships
Cause-and-effect relationships are relationships between two or more variables or phenomena whereby one variable or event leads to a predictable response. Events have causes—sometimes simple, sometimes multi-faceted.
The presence and quantity of different resources (cause) in an ecosystem effects the number and types of organisms that can live there.
Model the interdependence and parts of a system
A system is a whole made of parts that work together. It has components and boundaries. It can interact with or be part of other systems.
The ecosystem contains organisms and the biotic and abiotic factors (parts) that support them. Organisms depend on the biotic and abiotic factors for survival.
Flow of energy and cycling of matter through systems
Matter and energy are conserved, changing forms but maintaining quantities. Energy flows within a system or between systems through transfers and transformations. Matter is cycled within systems through physical and chemical processes.
The biotic factors that organisms interact with are modeled through food webs and food chains, demonstrating the cycling of matter and flow of energy through ecosystems.
Stability and change
Stability describes a system that does not change at the observed scale. In a stable system, a small disturbance will die out and the system will return to a stable state. Change in the system can come from modifying a factor or condition.
A healthy and sustainable ecosystem is stable. Overuse of resources caused by an increase in population or an event such as a fire causes a change to the ecosystem, impacting the survival of the organisms within it.
Cross-curricular Connections
The cross-curricular connections are designed to help educators make content connections between the science TEKS and math, English language arts and reading, social studies, and technology applications. The standards below illustrate alignment between grade level content areas which may help educators develop cross-curricular lessons. These connections do not represent all possible connections that might be made.
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English Language Arts and Reading
ELAR.5.13.E demonstrate understanding of information gathered