1.Energy flows through (lost as heat); matter cycles
2.Pyramids can be disrupted by invasives, disease, or climate
3.Decomposition Cycle: Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead organic matter, releasing essential nutrients back into the soil. These nutrients are then absorbed by producers, completing the nutrient cycle and preventing dead material from accumulating indefinitely.
[!] STUDY GUIDE: Big Ideas
Use to answer form questions!
1.Matter cycles; energy flows. Unlike energy (lost
as heat), matter is recycled indefinitely through ecosystems.
2.Decomposers close the loop. Fungi, bacteria, and
arthropods break down dead matter, returning nutrients to
soil.
3.Carbon and nitrogen cycle differently. Carbon:
atmosphere <-> organisms. Nitrogen: requires bacteria to convert
forms.
Living Organisms->Death/Waste->Decomposers->Nutrients in Soil->Absorbed by Plants->Living Organisms
MATTER CYCLING: Circular, conserved, recycled indefinitely (contrast
with W1 energy flow!)
[#] KEY TERMS
Define in YOUR words
Decomposition
Breakdown of dead matter
Nutrient cycling
Matter recycled through ecosystem
Carbon cycle
Carbon movement through systems
Nitrogen fixation
Bacteria convert N2 to usable form
[?] THE PHENOMENON
Write BEFORE Hook form
Why don't dead leaves pile up forever in forests, and how do they
make soil richer?
Every fall, billions of leaves drop to the forest floor. Yet forests
aren't buried in leaves from centuries past. Instead, the soil
beneath becomes rich and fertile.
Your initial thinking:
[>] AFTER HOOK FORM
Reflect, then continue+2 pts
I learned that...
TURN & TALK #1
"I think the leaves disappear because
."
PARTNER'S EXPLANATION:
Station 1 — Decomposer Roles
Fungi break down...
Bacteria handle...
Key insight:
Station 2 — C & N Cycles
Carbon returns to atmosphere via...
Nitrogen requires bacteria because...
Key insight:
TURN & TALK #2
"I was surprised that because I used
to think ."
PARTNER'S SURPRISE:
COLD CALL Be ready to share what
surprised YOUR PARTNER about decomposition!
[/] DAY 1 EXIT TICKET
Complete before leaving+5 pts
Q1:
Where do fallen leaves "go" during decomposition? Trace the matter.
Q2:
From W1: Why does energy flow one-way while matter cycles? (Hint:
10% rule vs. conservation)
Confidence:
Matter Cycling & Decomposition (continued)
Name:
[=]Day 2 start
Station 3 — Ecosystem Nutrient Budgets
If decomposers disappeared...
Healthy soil has high decomposer activity because...
The difference between composting and landfills...
Key insight:
[+] MAKING CONNECTIONS
Use for Exit Ticket!
Contrast W1 energy flow (one-way, lost as heat) with W3 matter cycling
(circular, conserved). Why is this distinction critical?
How do decomposers connect to W2 invasive species? (Hint: What happens
to dead invasives?)
[/] DAY 2 EXIT TICKET
Final check before Science Circle+5 pts
Q1 (NEW):
Match decomposers to their roles: fungi (tough plant material),
bacteria (small molecules), arthropods (fragmentation).
Q2 (SPIRAL):
How do the 10% rule (W1) and decomposition (W3) together explain why
ecosystems need constant energy input but not constant matter input?
Q3 (INTEGRATION):
Explain why "energy is recycled in ecosystems" is WRONG, using
evidence from W1 and W3.
CHECKTEST YOUR THINKINGRate each: FALSE ← 1–2–3–4–5 → TRUE
1. Only animals decompose — plants just dry up and blow away.
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2. Nutrients in soil are constantly being created fresh by the Earth.
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3. Fungi and bacteria are the main organisms responsible for decomposition.
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4. Dead matter simply disappears over time rather than being converted into other substances.
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5. The atoms in a fallen leaf can eventually become part of a new living plant.
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Pick any TWO statements — especially any you rated 2, 3, or 4. Justify your rating with evidence:
Statement #___ — I rated it ___ because:
Statement #___ — I rated it ___ because:
[O] SCIENCE CIRCLE
~15 min | End of week+3 pts
[!] My "Aha!" Moment
[?] My Remaining Question
PRE-WRITESilent | 2 min
Complete your "Aha!" and "Remaining Question" boxes above BEFORE
discussing.
TURN & TALK
"My aha moment was because
."
LISTEN & RECORD: What was your
partner's aha?
COLD CALL Be ready to share your
PARTNER's thinking, not your own!