Living Earth · Week 11 · Matter and Energy in Living Systems
Energy Pyramids and Waste
Calculating energy loss up a food pyramid and weighing food choices with care rather than guilt.
- Students will
- Students calculate energy transfer up a food pyramid using the 10 percent estimate and explain why higher levels need more land.
- SEL skill
- Weigh a choice with evidence and care instead of guilt
- What it looks like
- Students use emotions to think and weigh food choices with care rather than guilt.
- Content focus
- Energy loss in pyramids and choices
- Format
- Structured discussion
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making is choosing what to do by weighing ethics, safety, and the likely consequences for yourself and others. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-LS2-4: High School Life Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP5 Using mathematics and computational thinking
- Crosscutting concept: CCC5 Energy and matter
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle II: People influence natural systems
- Literacy in science: RST.9-10.3 Follow a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments or taking measurements.
- Traditional course: Biology
Fits these textbook chapters
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Living Earth
- Counting Life Fairly Responsible decision-makingStudents compare biodiversity counts from two sampling methods and practice noticing when excitement or doubt shapes a conclusion.
- Natural Selection by the Numbers Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing trait frequency data across generations and separating evidence from assumption when making decisions.
- Sources of Variation Responsible decision-makingArguing whether meiosis, replication errors, or environmentally caused mutations best explain inherited variation, and pausing on strong feelings before choosing a claim.
- Genetics and Ethics Responsible decision-makingEvaluating news claims about gene editing and discussing who should decide how the technology is used.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.