Using a coloring activity, a photograph slideshow, and Spider-Man videos for an opportunity to apply the new terminology, this lesson utilizes visual literacy and cause/effect analysis to explain the three types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Drawing from a textbook read-aloud to understand the differences between each relationship, we recorded a formal written definition for mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism and supplemented it with a visual representation by coloring in the outlines of real-life examples with symbolic colors we assigned to each possible effect (i.e. negative gain, positive gain, zero gain). After viewing a slideshow of photographs captioned with a description of the animal-animal, animal-plant, or plant-plant relationship and discussing which symbiotic relationship they fall under through Think-Pair-Share, we viewed several scenes from the 2007 movie Spider-Man 3 to apply our knowledge of symbiosis to classify the ambiguously-titled Parker-"Symbiote" relationship in the movie. We naturally transitioned from the picture slideshow to the movie application through a comic panel by The Oatmeal (embedded at the end of the slideshow) illustrating the man's negation of the mutualistic relationship between house spiders and humans.
COLORING ACTIVITY:
Symbiotic Relationships Referring to Ch. 4-2 "What Shapes an Ecosystem?" in the textbook, we read pages 92-93 aloud. On a graphic organizer, we designed a color code to represent the three effects symbiotic relationships can have on its parties: benefit, harm, or unaffected. We defined mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism in the box provided on the graphic organizer. After linking a color to each possible effect, we looked at a visual that summarized a real-life example of each relationship, discussed them, and colored in the picture according to the key and the type of interaction in which the two species were involved. We then listed prominent characteristics as bullet points beneath each definition (i.e. dominant forms that a relationship assumes, specific characteristics or terminology associated with a relationship, etc.). |
Graphic Organizer idea adapted from:
Brene, M. (2012). Symbiotic or not? [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/4896293/SYMBIOTIC-OR-NOT
Brene, M. (2012). Symbiotic or not? [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/4896293/SYMBIOTIC-OR-NOT
Commensalism: a close and often long-term interaction between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.
Mutualism: a close and often long-term interaction between two organisms in which both individuals benefit.
Parasitism: a close and often long-term interaction between two species in which one organism (the parasite) benefits and the other (the host) is harmed.
Interconnectedness: the quality or condition of people or things being meaningfully and/or complexly related or connected.
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Picture Slideshow Examples:
After reading the caption description (the capitalized classification was omitted on the in-class slides) on each photograph or a real-life symbiotic relationship, a Think-Pair-Share activity enabled us to think though the interactions individually and collaboratively and share the education guesses we came up with as to why the photographs depicted a mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic relationship. Flip through the twenty (20) slides below. Notice how these biological interactions are NOT exclusively between animals. They occur between plants and animals and between two plants, as well. They also permeate all biomes, from land to aquatic. The last example of a negated mutualistic symbiotic relationship leads into our concluding activity with Spider-Man 3.
SPIDER-MAN 3 APPLICATION: Analyzing Cause & Effect for Symbiotic Classification In the 2007 movie, Spider-Man 3, Peter Parker encounters an extraterrestrial "symbiote." Although its name alludes to the symbiotic relationships we've discussed in this lesson, it is ambiguously titled. Does its symbiotic bond with Peter Parker fall under mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism? In class, we watched several clips from the movie - including the initial bonding during sleep, Parker's interactions with his job, Mary Jane, and society afterwards, Dr. Connor's ideas on the substance, and Parker's attempt to disconnect from it in the church tower. Most scenes are provided below in the three videos. First, we brainstormed what we already knew about the black-suited Spider-Man on a semantic web. Then, as we screened the movie, we filled in a cause/effect graphic organizer to track the various effects the black "symbiote" had on Parker. Be sure to be as specific as possible because you will later use your observations and inferences as evidence to support your classification of the relationship. Based on the specific effects the substance had on Parker and your knowledge of the three relationships, you will complete a writing assignment to discuss your evidence-based opinion. |
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CAUSE:
313 Badwolf (2014). Spider-Man 3: Symbiote bonds with Spider-Man [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKGMxa7fOJw
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EFFECT:
GFX / Gaming Channel :) (2012). Peter Parker's dance (Spiderman 3) full [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPN1BvR02Xo
Joker133759 (2014). Spider-Man 3 Bell Tower Scene [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtHpEAYSilQ
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SPIDER-MAN 3 APPLICATION: Writing an Evidence-Based Classification of Parker-"Symbiote" Relationship After we gained a sense of the general impact of the black substance on Peter Paker from the movie clips, we developed an evidence-based classification of the symbiosis in a writing assignment. Therefore, in a well-developed paragraph, clearly state which symbiotic category it falls under - commensalism, mutualism, or parasitism - and cite specific reasons why you chose that relationship by linking the text details on your cause/effect graphic organizer to specific qualities of the symbiotic relationship listed on your coloring graphic organizer. Be sure to acknowledge the other potential classifications and include why they aren't applicable to Peter Parker's situation. What is missing from the Parker-"symbiote" interaction that prevents it from being classified as the other two relationships? Also be sure to include whether the black substance and Parker benefits, is harmed, or is unaffected by the relationship, and cite text details to support your analysis. As a required extension of your classification, include several sentences hypothesizing why Marvel Comic did not specifically classify the black substance through its name and only chose to allude to the umbrella term, "symbiosis." |