Directions: The learning intention is what we expect you to do by the end of the day. 

To reach this goal, write about what you already KNOW and what you NEED TO KNOW. 

Directions: Copy the four types of Autotrophs onto index cards. 

On Earth, carbon compounds are found in the oceans, atmosphere, and living organisms, as well as stored in rocks and sediments. Earth and its atmosphere can be considered a closed system. The amount of carbon in different locations within Earth’s system is always changing.

Sea otters help maintain the carbon balance in their ecosystem. Otters eat sea urchins. Eating sea urchins is important, because too many of them can destroy a kelp forest. Kelp are large algae that use sunlight to make their own food and grow much faster than most plants. When kelp die, they sink into the deep ocean. The low oxygen conditions of the sea floor cause the process of decay to be slow or incomplete, but bacteria eventually break down the dead material and absorb nutrients from it.

Task: Classify the Organisms

Read the passage carefully. Then,in your notebooks, classify each organism below based on how it gets its energy. Write your reasoning for each one.

1. Sea otter
   
   

2. Sea urchin
   
   

3. Kelp
   
   

4. Bacteria