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Module 01: Introduction to Urban Ecology

Module 1 introduces students to the study of ecology in an urban setting, to think about the components of the urban ecosystem and how urban systems continually change. Cities are complex systems that can be healthy or unhealthy. This module helps students start to think about the factors they can observe in order to determine the status of their city. The fieldwork opportunities in this module are used to set the stage for designing research to be implemented in the remaining modules. To connect to geography, students can use their map reading and making skills to communicate specific features of their field sites.

Reference Materials Reference Materials

Assessment Bank, Center for Urban Resilience

Assessment Bank Answers, Center for Urban Resilience

Introduction to Urban Ecology - Teacher Resources, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 1: Cities as Systems Lesson 1: Cities as Systems

Contingency Cards, Center for Urban Resilience

Field Studies Safety Contract, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Cities as Systems, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 2: Ecosystem Structure Lesson 2: Ecosystem Structure

Circle Graphic, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Ecosystem Structure, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - Ecosystem Structure: The Pieces of the Urban Ecosystem, Center for Urban Resilience

Reading - What is an Ecosystem?, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - In the Field Site, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 3: Ecosystems and Change Lesson 3: Ecosystems and Change

Aerial Photos - Ecosystems and Change, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Ecosystems and Change, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - Seasons Snapshots, Center for Urban Resilience

Reading - What is Urban Ecology?, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - How Unique are Human Cities?, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 4: The Place of Cities in Ecosystems

Lesson Plan - The Place of Cities in Ecosystems, Center for Urban Resilience

Maps, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - Why do we live where we do?, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 5: Why and How Do I Conduct a Study Site Evaluation?

Lesson Plan - Why and How Do I Conduct a Study Site Evaluation?, Center for Urban Resilience

Representation of Scientific Inquiry, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - What is Our Field Like?, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 6: Complex Urban Ecosystems Lesson 6: Complex Urban Ecosystems

Complex Urban Ecosystems, Center for Urban Resilience

Ecosystem Structure and Function_Answer Key, Center for Urban Resilience

Ecosystem Structure and Function Handout, Center for Urban Resilience

Lenses Handout, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Complex Urban Ecosystems, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - Ecological Systems, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - What are the different lenses we can use to view ecosystems?, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 7: Organisms and Microhabitats Lesson 7: Organisms and Microhabitats

Example - Class Data Sheets, Center for Urban Resilience

Lab Instructions - Microhabitat Investigation, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Microhabitats and Community Relationships, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - What Do We Think of Our Cities?, Center for Urban Resilience

Sample Answers - Analysis Questions, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - Microhabitat Investigation, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 8: City Living and the Environment

Lesson Plan - City Living and the Environment, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - What Do We Think of Our Cities?, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - How Unique are Human Cities?, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson 9: Action in Urban Ecology Lesson 9: Action in Urban Ecology

Action in Urban Ecology - Action Plan Process, Center for Urban Resilience

Lesson Plan - Action in Urban Ecology, Center for Urban Resilience

PowerPoint - Acting on Urban Ecology, Center for Urban Resilience

Student Handout - Action in Urban Ecology, Center for Urban Resilience