Unit Plan
The Diversity
of Life:
Classification
Kathleen Mansur
5E Lessons
– Lesson 1: Systems of Classification/ Taxonomy and the Three
Domains
– Lesson 2: The Six Kingdoms – Part 1
– Lesson 3: The Six Kingdoms – Part 2
– Lesson 4: Cladograms
– Lesson 5: Viruses
– Lesson 6: The Diversity of Life: Classification Test
Virginia SOLs
BIO.4 The student will investigate and understand life functions of
Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. Key concepts include
a. comparison of their metabolic activities;
c. how the structures and functions vary among and within the Eukarya kingdoms of
protists, fungi, plants, and animals, including humans;
e. how viruses compare with organisms
BIO.6 The student will investigate and understand bases for modern
classification systems. Key concepts include
a. structural similarities among organisms;
c. comparison of developmental stages in different organisms
Unit Plan Highlights – Lesson 1
Shoe Activity
– Separated students based on
shoes
– Had students figure out why
they were separated
– Connected it to classifying living
organisms
– Student Engagement: Med-High
Unit Plan Highlights –
Lessons 3, 4, 5
Unique Organisms
– PPT of unique organisms
– Students described orgs. characteristics
and tried to determine kingdom
– Student Engagement: Very High
Unit Plan Highlights – Lesson 3/4
Alien Taxonomy Project
– Alien Planet – NASA sent
students to classify aliens
– Used Di-Key and letter to
classify and describe aliens
– Collaborative Lesson
– Rubric included
– Student Engagement: Med-High
Unit Plan Highlights – Lesson 3/4
Six Kingdoms Brochure
– Brochure on Six Kingdoms
– Highlight characteristics of each
kingdom
– Differentiated Instruction
– Include pictures
– Rubric included
– Student Engagement: Med-High
The Learning Process
Assessments and Examples of
Student Work
Assessment
– Opportunity to demonstrate progression
through:
– Formative Assessments
– Fist to Five, “What are we doing and why are
we doing this?”, Activity Sheets, Checks for
Understanding, Kahoot! (online quiz game)
– Summative Assessments
– Quiz, Projects, Test
Pre-Assessment
– Some to little knowledge of classification and taxomony
– Some knowledge about levels of classification
– No knowledge about 3 domains or characteristics
– Little knowledge of characteristics of the 6 kingdoms
– No knowledge of cladograms and dichotomous keys
– No knowledge of differences between viruses and
bacteria
Ex. of
Student
Work
Examples
of Student
Work
Examples of Student Work
Post-Assessment
– Describe how and why we classify organisms
– Explain concept of levels of classification
– Somewhat differentiate between the 3 domains and 6
kingdoms
– Construct/analyze/use cladograms and dichotomous
keys
– Compare and contrast viruses and bacteria
– Still had trouble describing characteristics of 6 kingdoms
Reflection on Teaching
Reflection on Assessment
Assessment for Learning…
Assessment as Learning…
Assessment of Learning…
– Used info. about students’
understandings to inform my
teaching
– Involved students in learning
process to monitor their own
progress
– Used evidence of student
learning to assess student
achievement against
learning goals and standards
– Provided feedback to
students about learning gave
suggestions for
improvement
– Provided feedback to
students so they could
reflect on learning and work
toward learning goals
Reflection on
Differentiated Lesson
– Each learner is unique
– Implement developmentally appropriate learning
experiences
– Foster learning and critical thinking while
supporting all learners
– Differentiate all instruction
Reflection on Collaborative Lesson
– Encourage positive social interactions
– Respect creates pleasant and successful experiences
– Active engagement in learning by collaborating
– Collaboration creates self-motivation for individual
learning experiences
Reflection on Teaching Unit
– Activating prior knowledge is very important
– Collaboration with cooperating teacher
– Planning for all types of learners
– Use variety of assessment strategies
– Reflect on learning experiences (both students and teacher)
– Build from experiences
Self Evaluation
Accomplished…
Could have done better…
– Creating meaningful learning experiences
– Differentiate learning further
– Making connections
– Remember to clarify certain points
– Fostering collaboration
– Classroom management
– Planning ahead and being flexible
– Time management
What I Learned – Final Thoughts
Take-Away Points:
– Have knowledge of content
– Create strong curriculum
– Support all types of learners
– Make meaningful learning experiences
– Promote inquiry through investigation
to foster critical thinking
– Create engaging and respectful learning
environment
– Have effective classroom
management strategies
– Use resources and collaborate with
other teachers
– Need to be flexible
– Build on experience
– Be a life-long learner
References
Texley, Juliana. March 2002. The Science Teacher. “Teaching the New Taxonomy.”
Images:
“Welcome to my Museum” by Ruth Hutson:
http://betterlesson.com/lesson/629168/welcome-to-my-museum-part-1-3
http://opi.mt.gov/Images/Curriculum/MSP/BIGSKY/WHEEL.png
http://www.oatlands.net/go/Departments/biology.aspx
Mrs. Terri Sheppard, Activity Sheets
http://science.lotsoflessons.com/science_organisms.gif
The Biology Corner, Activity Sheets: http://www.biologycorner.com/lessonplans/evolution-taxonomy/
Lewellyn, D. (2013). Teaching High School Science Through Inquiry and
Argumentation. Corwin Press: Thousand Oaks, CA. ISBN: 978-1-4522-4445-7
Taxonomy Activity Sheet: http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/taxa.php
Alien Taxonomy Project:
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/taxonomy2_key.html
Virus Activity http://teacherweb.com/MA/WeymouthHighSchool/MrsNorthup/Viruses-AliveWorksheet.doc
Six Kingdoms Brochure http://www.biomonsters.com/uploads/8/5/4/6/8546703/ds62introduction_to_the_kingdoms_of_life.3.pdf
http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/129913221.png
http://animals.phillipmartin.info/six_kingdoms.gif
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54737396e4b013a5fe95d848/t/54ac5cdae4b
0170492f449fa/1420582106360/
http://tafebytes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/learning-styles.jpg
http://www.strategic-workplace-solutions. com/images/ two%20people%20%20puzzle%20pieces.jpg/image_preview
http://www.enablingtransitions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/PM2.png
http://connections.teenchallengeusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Reflectionof-Self.jpg
http://saphanatutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SAP-HANA-Questions.jpg