Levels of the Universe Game

Introduction:

Levels of organization are important in learning levels of complexity and size.  Having students place vocabulary terms in their designated area shows the variety of levels going from broad to more specific.  Posters for this activity can be easily made and relatively inexpensive.  Obtain one large piece of poster board from a local store such as K-Mart, Wal-Mart, or Target and craft paints in an assortment of colors needed for your levels on your poster.  Paint sixteen different colors in a rainbow shape. Definitions can be obtained on www.dictionary.com to piece together your own definition from the many that you are given on this website. Glue the definitions where the levels should be, beginning with Universe at the top and Sub-Atomic Particles on the bottom. Refer to Biological Organization Activity chart.  Using www.google.com/images or another search engine on the Internet, locate organisms and pictures that could be used as examples for each definition.  Copy and paste as many pictures as you can onto a page using Microsoft word or a similar program, making them roughly 1-2 inch squares.  Print off in color if available.   Laminate the large poster, the sheet of terminology, and the examples.  Cut out the examples and terms and apply adhesive Velcro to the back of the critters and the opposite side to the poster over the colored squares.  Lamination allows the examples and terminology to be handled without a lot of damage. 

National Standard Addressed:

The standard Systems, Order, and Organization under the category of Unifying Concepts and Processes is the standard that is addressed.  Students will understand the complexity of the universe and all that is contained in it.

Objectives and Benchmarks:

This activity will provide the students with the opportunity to place terminology by definitions and see how these levels are different in terms of size, specificity, and differences in complexity.  Students should be able to identify a given number determined number.

Materials:

Laminated Levels of the Universe poster

Cards of terms with Velcro backing

Cards of examples for each definition with Velcro backing

Advanced Preparation:

Go over the list of terms to remember where terminology goes and the examples of each.  Make sure there are extra pieces for each term. 

Procedure:

Have students place terms by the definitions.  After that has been completed and checked, give them the examples and have them place them in the correct places.

Things to consider:

Some students may not know what each level is, so have their book or any other handy for quick reference.  Try to make them look it up rather than tell them.  Focus on one part at a time, starting with differences between the terms and levels.

Possible Integration:

This lesson would be useful in teaching complexity and differences in the world we live in.

Critical Concepts:

Complexity                Organization