TCSS Biology
Unit 3 – Organisms Information
Milestones Domain/Weight: Organisms 17%
Georgia Performance Standards:
SB3. Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing
complexity of systems.
B. Compare how structures & functions vary between the six kingdoms.
C. Examine the evolutionary basis of modern classification.
D. Compare & contrast viruses with living organisms.
Purpose/Goal(s):
Students will derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing
complexity of systems.
 Students will explain the process of obtaining and utilizing energy within each kingdom.
 Students will compare how structures and function of those structures vary between the six kingdoms.
 Students will examine the evolutionary basis of modern classification systems.
 Students will compare and contrast viruses with living organisms.
Content Map: Unit 3 – Organisms Content Map
Prerequisites: Unit 3 – Organisms Middle School Standards
Unit Length: Approximately 15 days
Click on the links below for resources by Concept:
Concept 1: Taxonomy
Concept 2: Cladograms
Concept 3: Six Kingdoms
Concept 4: Viruses
TCSS Biology Organisms Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 1: Taxonomy
EQ1: How have
taxonomy methods
changed throughout
history?
EQ2: How are organisms
classified today?
SB3C: Examine the
evolutionary basis of
modern classification.
Vocabulary
Essential*
Classification
Evolutionary
Supplemental**
Binomial Nomenclature
Domain
Taxon/taxa
Taxonomy
Carolus Linnaeus
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Activators/Summarizers:
Intro to Classification Video Clip (17.1) - discusses taxonomy in
general and specifically mentions the role Linnaeus played in the
development of this science.
Notes:
Early vs. Modern Classification Notes (17.1) - Screen Copy - PPT
for lecture covering Aristotle through Linnaeus.
Early vs. Modern Classification Notes (17.1) - Student Copy - for
student handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the
bold-faced words in the Screen Copy.
Evolutionary Classification Notes (17.2) - Screen Copy - PPT for
lecture covering the evolutionary basis of modern classification.
Evolutionary Classification (17.2) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced
words in the Screen Copy.
Taxonomy/Classification PowerPoint- Screen Copy
- PPT presentation for early classification, taxonomy, and binomial
nomenclature.
Taxonomy/Classification PowerPoint Notes - Fill in the blank notes
that correspond to the ppt. for early classification, taxonomy, and
binomial nomenclature.
Practice/Worksheet:
Early vs. Modern Classification Student Practice (17.1) Comprehension questions & exercises for students to use following
lecture.
Assessment
Concept 1: Sample
Assessment Items
TCSS Biology Organisms Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 2: Cladograms
EQ1: How are
cladograms read and
constructed?
SB3C: Examine the
evolutionary basis of
modern classification.
Vocabulary
Resources [Back to Top]
Essential*
Classification
Evolutionary
Activators/Summarizers:
Taxonomy and Cladogram Summarizer - Worksheet that reviews
concepts from both taxonomy and cladograms.
Supplemental**
Ancestral Character
Cladogram
Common Ancestor
Derived Character
Phylogenetic Tree
Clade
Notes:
Cladogram Notes (17.2) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture covering
basics of how to read a cladogram.
Cladogram Notes (17.2) - Student Copy - for student handouts.
Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in
the Screen Copy.
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Practice/Worksheets:
Evolutionary Classification & Cladograms Student Practice (17.2)
- Comprehension questions & exercises for students to complete
following lecture.
Cladogram Worksheet (Basic) - Basic cladogram worksheet used to
introduce cladograms.
Cladogram Analysis (17.2) - practice exercises for cladogram
interpretation & construction
Cladogram Extension Activity (17.2) - Students analyze amino acid
sequences to draw conclusions about biochemical traits.
Assessment
Concept 2: Sample
Assessment Items
TCSS Biology Organisms Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Vocabulary
Standard(s)
Concept 3: Six Kingdoms Essential*
Functions
EQ1: How do the
Six Kingdoms
structure and function of Structure
organisms differ from
kingdom to kingdom?
Supplemental**
Animalia
SB3B: Compare how
Arachaebacteria
structures & functions
Archaea
vary between the six
Bacteria
kingdoms.
Eubacteria
Eukarya
Fungi
Plantae
Protista
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Activators/Summarizers:
Classification Review - Summarizer that reviews six kingdoms,
classification, and cladograms.
Kingdom Puzzle Activity - Activating Student-made manipulative
that reviews domains & kingdoms. Students will find that there is an
extra puzzle piece that doesn’t fit (viruses). Has Accompanying
student sheet.
Kingdom Graphic Organizer - Blank chart for filling in key
characteristics of each kingdom.
Notes:
Domains & Kingdoms Notes (17.3) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture
covering the structural & functional characteristics that define each
domain & kingdom.
Domains & Kingdoms Notes (17.3) - Student Copy - for student
handouts. Includes blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced
words in the Screen Copy.
Practice/Worksheets:
6 Kingdom Coloring Sheet - Reading activity that includes a color
sheet and comprehension questions.
Classification and 6 Kingdom Research Paper - Individual student
research project over six kingdoms and classification. This project is
written as for each student to do their own paper but it can be altered
to work in partners or small groups. You will have to alter the total
points.
Classification and 6 Kingdom Research Paper Rubric - Rubric for
the Classification and 6 Kingdom Research Paper.
Assessment
Concept 3: Sample
Assessment Items
TCSS Biology Organisms Unit Information
Concept, Essential
Question(s), and
Standard(s)
Concept 4: Viruses
EQ1: Why aren’t viruses
considered to be living
organisms?
Vocabulary
Essential*
Virus
Living Organism
EQ2: How does the
reproduction of viruses
affect organisms?
Supplemental**
Capsid
Core
Lysogenic Cycle
Lytic Cycle
SB3D: Compare &
contrast viruses with
living organisms.
*Essential vocabulary
listed in the GPS
Standards
**Supplemental
vocabulary listed in the
state frameworks and/or
other state document
Resources [Back to Top]
Assessment
Activators/Summarizers:
Are Viruses Alive? (time 2:58) - Video that addresses the
characteristic of viruses and whether they are living or nonliving.
Virus Reproductive Cycle Diagram Worksheet - Two blank
diagrams of the lytic and lysogenic cycle that students can label. This
worksheet can be used as an activator, summarizer or practice
worksheet.
HIV Infection Lab - This lab will measure the rate at which a
simulated Human Immunodeficiency Virus is spread around the class.
Includes procedure and post lab comprehension questions.
Introduction to Viruses (time 5:46) - This HD dramatic video
choreographed to powerful music introduces the viewer/student to the
"Virus". It is designed as a "trailer" to be shown by Biology teachers
in middle and high school and college as a visual introduction to this
amazing non-living but deadly substance, and how it has affected life
on Earth.
Concept 4: Sample
Assessment Items
Notes:
Virus Notes (18.2) - Screen Copy - PPT for lecture covering viral
structure, characteristics, infection cycles, & vaccines
Virus Notes (18.2) - Student Copy - for student handouts. Includes
blanks for fill-in that correspond to the bold-faced words in the Screen
Copy.
Practice/Worksheet:
Virus and Bacteria Worksheet - Comparison worksheet for bacteria
and viruses.
Virus and Bacteria Worksheet 1 - Comparison worksheet for
bacteria and viruses.