Ecological Model and Philip Vera Cruz
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Provided by: AAPI History Hub|Published on: March 12, 2026
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this 7-lesson unit from AAPI History Hub, students will analyze how biotic and abiotic factors influence people and organisms in an environment.
- Students will create ecological models and analyze the Filipino labor strikes in California, led by Philip Vera Cruz, as case studies.
Subjects: Biology
Authors: The Asian American Education Project
Region: United States
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This lesson does a great job of showing how social sciences and ecological sciences are related.
- Philip Vera Cruz is an inspiring example of a leader who stood up for what was right.
Prerequisites
- Each lesson is estimated to take 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
- Teachers will need to print student handouts and will need a projector for presentation slides. Additionally, students will need poster paper and art materials for Lesson 7.
- Lesson 3 references a "RACE Method" for responding to questions. If students are unfamiliar with this method, teachers may want to introduce it and provide an example.
- The materials section suggests that teachers may want to have a biology textbook on hand. This lesson can be implemented without this additional material if it is not available.
- Teachers should note that for the student handout for Lesson 6, the link to the reading is incorrect. Teachers should advise students to ignore this link and instead use the one given in the Lesson Materials.
Differentiation & Implementation
- The Social-Ecological model can be used in life skills or related classes to discuss things like boundaries.
- Teachers can make connections to climate change by discussing the impacts it has on different levels of an ecosystem.
- In Lesson 6, it may benefit students to highlight the sections of the reading they are assigned as a class, to ensure students aren't spending time reading unnecessary sections.
- Teachers can make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, by discussing solutions to improve labor conditions for immigrant farmworkers, referencing the portions in the reading that briefly mention modern working conditions.
This resource introduces students to ecological models and features the case study of farm labor organizer Philip Vera Cruz. Grounded strongly in the interactions between environment and society, ecology is framed by social science. This resource does not mention climate change, but the social ecological model could be adapted to climate action. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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