Unit Overview
What caused the woolly mammoth to go extinct? Should we bring the woolly mammoth back?
How can we develop claims about the extinction of species long ago, based on findings in current ecosystems affected by human actions? Human population growth, globalization, and industrialization are having profound impacts on the long term health and stability of ecosystems, permanently altering the products of billions of years of evolutionary history on planet Earth. After raising questions about the extinction of the woolly mammoth, students investigate how humans have altered ecosystems and what actions may be taken to preserve biodiversity. Students create models throughout the unit and utilize simulations to gain a deeper understanding of large scale geological and biological processes through a set of case studies that highlight the decline of three key species. Finally, students use their learning to evaluate several claims about causes for the extinction of the woolly mammoth, and evaluate a scientific argument about whether we should invest resources in bringing the mammoth back from extinction as a solution to human-caused biodiversity loss.
Performance Expectations:
HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-6, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-5, HS-LS2-6
Unit Storyline
Unit Opening
What is the story of woolly mammoth extinction? What types of information do we need to know in order to evaluate the cause of a species’ extinction?
Tuskless Elephants
Why are there more tuskless elephants now than in the past?
Coral Bleaching
How can we understand the causes and potential impacts of climate change?
Kelp Forest
How do all of the components of an ecosystem interact to provide resiliency against a disturbance?
Passenger Pigeon
How can we evaluate solutions to human-caused biodiversity loss?
Unit Closing
How can we evaluate the argument that bringing back the woolly mammoth from extinction is a viable solution to biodiversity loss?
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Assessment
Formative and Summative Assessment
In addition to the unit Performance Task, this unit includes a mid-unit formative task and an end-of-unit transfer task, both designed to serve as individual assessments that are part of a broader assessment system. The Performance Task Organizer and End of Unit Transfer Task complement each other, and by using a combination of each, teachers will assess each PE covered by each unit.
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Essential Documents
A collection of printable materials required for activities, rubrics, and work samples for the unit.