Begin the Ecology Unit with meaningful student warm-up and graphic analysis.

I have had much success with this resource: it supports constructivist learning! Which is where students think for themselves and build their own knowledge. This also means: NO vocabulary formal definitions given prior to learning! Allow students to think for themselves about the importance of Ecology, and the levels of the Biosphere before giving all the information to them: this will prevent rote memorization and give meaning to their growing vocabulary.