Proficiency Assessment
8.1L.1 Classification
Standard: Explain how genetics and anatomical characteristics are used to classify
organisms and infer evolutionary relationships.
Title: Species Web Map
Introduction
Background Knowledge:
Book A: From Bacteria to Plants – Chapter 1
Book C: Cells and Heredity – Chapter 5
 Notes on history of classification and binomial nomenclature
 Using a species web map to answer questions about organisms
 Using a dichotomous key to classify organisms
Essential vocabulary:
 classification
 anatomy
 embryo
 taxonomy
 binomial nomenclature
 domain
 kingdom
 phylum
 class
 order
 family
 genus
 species
 evolution
Assessment
This is an activity where students work collaboratively at first to classify organisms,
create species web maps, and create dichotomous keys. Then, students work
individually to create a species web map and dichotomous key for fruit. The fruit web
map, dichotomous key, and written explanation are to be assessed using the
Classification Scoring Rubric.
Time needed: 2-3 Days
Materials: Students bring in 10 related items to classify. Example: 10 cosmetics, 10
different markers, office supplies, etc.)
Handouts: Species Web Map, Classification Assessment, Classification
Scoring Guide
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012
Directions:
1. The day before the activity, tell students to bring in 10 related items. Give some
examples.
2. Hand out the students’ activity titled Species Web Map.
3. Have students work in pairs or individually to classify their items and create a
web map.
4. Then, students will use this web map to create a dichotomous key.
5. When students finish, have them share with other groups and use their
dichotomous keys to identify the items.
6. Check student work for accuracy.
7. Class discussion
a. What were some errors? How did you fix them?
b. Show exemplars
c. Ask students to identify which items are more closely related
8. Individual student assessment (see below)
Student task/end product (scoring guide used to assess proficiency):
Students work individually to create a species web map and dichotomous key for an
apple, orange, strawberry, and banana. Students complete the explanation section.
Student Handout
Species Web Map
Name:
Directions:
1. List your ten species that you are going to classify in the box on the right (these
are the ones you came up with last night as your homework!)
2. Fill in the blank after Kingdom with your overall category (Example: Office
Supplies)
3. Sort them into 2 or 3 groups, and then draw these Phylum onto your web.
4. Sort these Phylum into Classes, then draw them onto your web.
5. Continue sorting (next make Order, then Family, then Genus, then Species) until
Species
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
all ten species are represented.
6. Then, make a dichotomous key so that others may identify your species.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Kingdom
_______
September 4, 2012
Dichotomous Key
1. a. _______________________________________________________ go to
b. _______________________________________________________ go to
2. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
3. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
4. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
5. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
6. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
7. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
8. a. _______________________________________________________
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012
b. _______________________________________________________
9. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
10. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
11. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
12. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
Keep going until you have identified all ten of your species. You may have more or less than 12
steps.
Student Classification Assessment
Self Score
Teacher Score
1
1
2
2
1. Create a species web map to show the relationships
between an apple, orange, strawberry and a banana.
3
3
4
4
Name:
Checklist
 Name and number
 Self score
 Conventions
(see poster on wall)
Fruit
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012
2. Create a dichotomous key that someone could use to identify a piece of fruit as
being an apple, orange, strawberry or banana.
1. a. _______________________________________________________ go to
b. _______________________________________________________ go to
2. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
3. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
4. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
5. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
6. a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
3. Explain your web map. Be sure to include:
o How anatomical characteristics are used to classify the organisms.
o How genetics could be used to classify organisms.
o How genetics could be used to infer evolutionary relationship
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012
Scoring Guide
8.1L.1 Classification
Standard: Explain how genetics and anatomical characteristics are used to classify
organisms and infer evolutionary relationships.
Score
Description:
4.0
Exceeds
 Create a graphic representation (species web map, dichotomous
key) to show that anatomical characteristics and adaptations are
used to classify organisms.
 Apply and explain how genetics is used to classify organisms.
(elephant shrew)
 Apply and explain how genetics is used to infer evolutionary
relationships.
3.5
Can complete level 3.0 and can partially complete level 4.0.
3.0
Meets
 Explain how anatomical characteristics and adaptations are used
to classify organisms.
 Explain how genetics is used to classify organisms.
 Explain how genetics is used to infer evolutionary relationships.
2.5
Can complete level 2.0 and can partially complete level 3.0 or 4.0
2.0
Nearly meets
 Describe anatomical characteristics and adaptations.
 Recognize that genetic and anatomical characteristics are used
to classify organisms.
 List evidence scientists use to show evolutionary relationships.
1.5
Can complete level 1.0 and can partially complete level 2.0, 3.0, or
4.0.
1.0
Beginning
Can show partial knowledge at level 2.0 with help.
0.5
Can produce some evidence of basic knowledge, with help.
0.0
Has no
understanding
Cannot provide any evidence of knowledge or understanding,
even with help.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
September 4, 2012