Grade 9 Biology Unit 2 Outline –
Classification of Living Organisms
Unit Content:
Classification of living organisms
Classification and diversity of living organisms
Simple keys
Standards and Benchmarks:
STANDARD 1: Learners understand the nature of scientific knowledge and inquiry
1. Analyze and evaluate experimental designs for accuracy, including variables,
controls, adequate data sampling, and logical conclusions and suggest design
improvements when appropriate.
2. Choose appropriate summary statistics to describe group differences, always
indicating the spread of the data as well as the scientific data's central tendencies.
3. Make and use tables, charts, graphs, and scale drawings to justify scientific
arguments and claims in oral and written presentations.
4. Participate in group discussions on scientific topics by restating or summarizing
accurately what others have said, asking for clarification or elaboration, and
expressing alternative positions.
5. Select the most appropriate tool for a specific, direct measurement and choose
appropriate units for reporting various magnitudes.
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
 Define and describe the binomial system of naming species as a system in which the
scientific name of an organism is made up of two parts showing the genus and
species
 List the main features of the following vertebrates: bony fish, amphibians, reptiles,
birds and mammals
 Know that there are other classification systems e.g. cladistics (based on RNA/ DNA
sequencing data)
 List the main features used in the classification of the following groups: viruses,
bacteria and fungi, and their adaptation to their environment
 List the main features used in the classification of the following groups: flowering
plants (monocotyledons and eudicotyledons (dicotyledons)), arthropods (insects,
crustaceans, arachnids and myriapods), annelids, nematodes and mollusks
 Concept and use of a classificatory system
 Adaptations of organisms to their environment (to be illustrated by examples
wherever possible)
 Use simple dichotomous keys based on easily identifiable features
Schedule:
Date / Day
Sept. 17
Day 7
Activity
Start PP 1 of Unit 2Classification of organisms
Sept. 19
Day 1
In class – work on
classification presentation
Sept. 23
Day 3
Sept. 25
Day 5
In class presentation
preparation
Viewing of every groups
presentation (30 – 1 hr
min) ; Study for quiz next
class on classification ;
Answer questions on
‘Classification’ document
to assist in study for quiz
(formative)
Quiz on Classification ;
PP 2 – Dichotomous key
Make your own
dichotomous key in class
WS.
Review HW on
Dichotomous key ; Review
for Unit 2 Test next class
Unit 2 Test
(this will be a short test)
Sept. 30
Day 7
Oct. 2
Day 1
Oct. 6
Day 3
Homework
Work in groups of 2 or 3 to design
the best method of organizing
classification / distinguishing
features of organisms in PP 1.
(See rubric – Due Sept. 25th)
 Use Resource
‘Classification’ to prepare
for presentation & study
for quiz
As above
Study for quiz
WS (1 and 2) on dichotomous key
due next class
Study for test
Start Unit 3
Rubric for Presentation:
As a modern scientist you have been asked to assist your college professor in
explaining to students the methods of modern classification using the system shown
to you in class. Your task is to make a presentation that organizes and explains the
classification system for: bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals ;
viruses, bacteria and fungi, and their adaptation to their environment ; flowering
plants (monocotyledons and dicotyledons), arthropods (insects, crustaceans, arachnids
and myriapods), annelids, nematodes and mollusks.
You can make this presentation in a variety of ways: poster ; video ; iMovies (highly
recommended). You will also get the chance to show it to your classmates.
Rubric: Grade 9 Biology Unit 2 presentation - Classification
3
Falls short of
some
expectations
2
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Missing
important
details
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Missing
important
details
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Missing
important
details
Explicit details
given
Some details
given
Missing
important
details
All work cited
with more than 5
sources according
to MLA format
All work cited
with less than 5
sources but not in
MLA format
One or no work
cited
Concise (within
the minute time
limit), clear and
well stated
Varity of
Technology (use
of iMovies) fully
utilized
Concise but
somewhat
disorganized or
unclear
Went on too
long or was too
short
Limited use of
technology
Did only
research ; poster
presentation
Meets or exceeds
expectations
Did not meet
expectations
1
Content
Method of Classification
explained
Classification of Animal
Kingdom Given with
Phylum
Important traits
discussed within adaptive
features Phylum :
Vertebrates
Important traits
discussed within adaptive
features Phylum :
Arthropods
Important traits
discussed within Plant
Kingdom (Flowering
Plants)
Important traits
discussed of classification
of viruses ; bacteria and
fungi
Bibliography
*google MLA format
Missing
important
details
Missing
important
details
Presentation
10 minutes
Creative
TOTAL (out of 27)
Score
(out of
3)