Sizeable Differences

Introduction:

Our world is highly evolved and organized.  It ranges from the smallest microorganisms, like cyanobacteria, to the largest macro-organisms, such as whales.  Not only are organisms evolved and organized, so is the environment they live in.  It is important to know and understand the different levels and how they relate to each other.  With this knowledge of classification you will become a better scientist by having a greater understanding of the scientific world.

National Standard Addressed:

Unifying Concepts and Processes with the subtitle Systems, Order and Organization is one standard covered by this lab.  Students will be able to see firsthand how their world is organized from the largest of ideas to the smallest particle.  Since the system is going to be organized by the students it gives them a greater understanding of why it is that way.

Earth and Space Science with emphasis on the Structure of the Earth System and Earth in the Solar System are two very important standards in this lab.  Students will begin to see the way that our earth fits into the solar system and just how small a piece of the universe it is.  They will also be able to see how the things on earth are structured to provide the optimal environment for each organism.

This lab also addresses teaching standards of Inquiry and Constructivism.  This lab allows students an opportunity to be very inquisitive about the world and they will be able to ask questions that they may have been afraid to ask before.

Objectives and Benchmarks:

This activity allows students the opportunity to practice organization and classification skills.  At the completion of this lesson students will be able to organize materials/terms in order of size and complexity.

Materials:

Word cards (2 x 3" laminated)         Dictionaries         Science Textbooks          Copies of Chart in Appendix

Advance Preparation:

Locate several dictionaries and make the word cards

At the bottom of this activity you will find a list of 20 levels of organization in the natural world and three examples for most of the categories. Make a complete set of white 2 x 3" cards with each of the levels of organization on them. Put the names of the examples on another card.  You will end up with 20 white cards and 57 colored cards. (The four categories are for your organization or teaching)

Procedure:

Students should break into six small groups, four to a table, and obtain one dictionary and at least one textbook.  Have them begin by writing out a list of the words on the white cards (as listed below) and defining them using their dictionary or textbook.  Go over the definitions as a group with the students and make corrections when necessary.  After everyone has the definitions correct, they can organize the cards in order from the very largest concept to the smallest.  When the groups are done have them raise their hand and sit quietly.  The first group done will be first to list their order and once they make a mistake the second group will get to try and so on until we have the correct order.  Next, have students organize the colored cards next to the white card that fits in that category.  Once again they should raise their hand a sit quietly when they are finished.  You should start with the first group done until they make a mistake and so on.  Make corrections if needed until their organization system is correct. 

Things to Consider:

Does size affect order in the organization table?   Where do you fit into this order?

Possible Integration:

All Sciences

Critical Concepts:

Organization            Classification            Microorganisms            Macro-organisms            Cell            Habitat

 Levels of Organization in the Natural World:

Extraterrestrial/Spatial

            Universe

            Galaxies- Milky Way, Andromeda, Messier 101

            Planets- Earth, Mars, Venus

            Ecospheres- Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere

            Climatic Zones- Tropical, Temperate, Arctic

Ecological

            Biomes- Desert, Grassland, Tundra

            Ecosystems- Tropical Rain Forest, Temperate Deciduous Forest,

                                       Boreal Coniferous Forest

            Communities- River Valley, Mountain Lake, Riparian Wetland

            Populations- Colony, Herd, School

            Species- Human, Fish, Turtle

Physiological

            Body Systems- Reproductive, Digestive, Skeletal

            Organs- Heart, Liver, Brain

            Tissues- Connective, Muscle, Epithelial

            Cells- Sperm, Nerve, Blood

            Organelles- Mitochondrion, Ribosome, Nucleus

Chemical

            Macromolecules- DNA, Protein, Lipid

            Molecules- Water, Sugar, Salt

            Elements- Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

            Sub-Atomic Particles- Proton, Neutron, Electron

            Quarks- Top/Bottom, Up/Down, Strange/Charmed