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Lesson Plan

Animals of the Fire Ice

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Animals of the Fire Ice lesson plan also includes:

When the sun's rays can't reach the producers in a food web, where does all the energy come from? Extreme environments call for extreme food sources. Young scientists investigate creatures that appear to get their energy from methane hydrates. After researching other chemosynthetic animals and making inferences about the worms and shrimp in the study, the class constructs models of the methane hydrate molecule.

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CCSS: Designed
Concepts
extremophile, the deep sea, oceans, ocean exploration, methane, energy, food webs, chemosynthesis, making inferences, hypotheses, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps
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Additional Tags
science
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Instructional Ideas
  • Construct a methane hydrate model step by step to assist working groups
  • Illustrate the similarities and differences between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis using a Venn diagram or similar graphic organizer
Classroom Considerations
  • Plan time for groups to complete the research worksheet in the computer lab or library
  • Some materials require painting prior to assembly
  • Fourth in a series of six lessons
Pros
  • Research and discussion provide ample opportunities to assess learners' ability to make inferences and form hypotheses
  • The process of having groups research known facts about chemosynthetic animals and apply these facts to the worms and shrimp in the lesson gives pupils an idea of the problem-solving process involved in real research
Cons
  • None