Diversity of Organisms

Unit Details Subject: Science Learning Levels: Intermediate, Middle School Author(s): Chris Schaben, Mitzi Petersen, Aurietha Hoesing, Steve Waterman Submitted by:

Abstract In this unit students will discover the many ways in which organisms on Earth are classified. Students will understand the importance of scientists using a system of classification for organisms and how that understanding leads to a further study of how animals adapt to their environment. The lessons will focus on becoming proficient in classifying and examining classifications within kingdoms. Invitation/Fundamental Understandings: Essential Questions: Knowledge and skills: Fundamental Understandings There is a wide variety of organisms living on the Earth today which are grouped by common characteristics. Essential Questions 1. How are some organisms different from others? 2. Why is it important to clasify? 3. How does clasification help us study organisms? 4. What are the characteristics of an animal? Knowledge: * relations of structure and function to where an organism lives. * types of organisms in each group * characteristics of the main kingdoms * similarities and differences of organisms Skills: * classify organisms * infer relationships and patterns * compare the different types of classification systems * collect and interpret data Standards National Standards National Science Standards: Life Science - CONTENT STANDARD C: DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATIONS OF ORGANISMS Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganisms are alive today. Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry. Content Standard K-12 UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES STANDARD: As a result of activities in grades K-12, all students should develop understanding and abilities aligned with the following concepts and processes: * Systems, order, and organization State Standards Nebraska State Standard 8.4.5 By the end of eighth grade, students will develop an understanding of diversity and adaptations of organisms Workforce Competencies: Standard Title: INFORMATION MANAGERS (3.1) Students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment. Unit of Practice Relevance: There are many different organisms on Earth and scientists continue to discover new species. Scientists classify to help them study the organisms. Context Before beginning this unit, students need to have an understanding of how things can be identified by properties such as color, shape, texture, etc. During the unit students will learn how to classify organisms into kingdoms, then species within the kingdoms. This provides the foundation for future study of how organsims adapt to certain environments and change within those environments. Assessment Formative Assessment: 1. KWHL chart 2. Create a dichotomous key for classifying organisms 3. Create a flip book on the kingdoms including examples and characteristics of various organisms within a kingdom. 4. Create a data chart in a spreadsheet format representing an example of an organsim and how the organism is classified. 5. Design a Venn diagram that compares an organism in the animal kingdom to a human. Summative Assessment: 1. Students will create a newspaper showing diversity of organisms with a claris template. *Pairs of students make two pages with four sections (For example, editorial, headlines, byline, comics, advertisements, classified, etc.) Components: Lesson 1: In this lesson students will be discovering how to group objects based on the commom characteristics of the objects. Students will discuss findings and how this concept applies to the scientific world of classification. Lesson 2: In this lesson students will be applying their knowledge of classifying to kingdoms, and showing how organisms may be classified in a kingdom. Lesson 3: In this lesson students be will exploring how species are classified within kingdoms, then creating a key to follow that will allow them to group a species by their characteristics. Additional Resources Main URL: Related Resources Related Lessons Classification Classifying Living Organisms into Kingdoms Classifying Organisms within Kingdoms Copyright © 1997-2003 Career Connection to Teaching with Technology USDOE Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Marshall Ransom, Project Manager All rights reserved.