Carrie Sun SBI3U

Introduction to Diversity of Life Day 1

Curriculum Expectations:
B1.1 analyse some of the risks and benefits
of
human intervention (e.g., tree plantations;
monoculture of livestock or agricultural
crops;
overharvesting of wild plants for medicinal
purposes; using pesticides to control pests;
suppression of wild fires) to the biodiversity
of aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems [AI, C]
B1.2 analyse the impact that climate change
might
have on the diversity of living things (e.g.,
rising
temperatures can result in habitat loss or
expansion; changing rainfall levels can cause
drought
or flooding of habitats) [AI, C]

B2.1 use appropriate terminology related to

biodiversity,
including, but not limited to: genetic
diversity, species diversity, structural
diversity,
protists, bacteria, fungi, binomial
nomenclature,
and morphology [C]
B2.4 create and apply a dichotomous key to
identify
and classify organisms from each of the
kingdoms [PR, AI, C]
B3.1 explain the fundamental principles of
taxonomy and phylogeny by defining
concepts
of taxonomic rank and relationship, such as
genus, species, and taxon
B3.5 explain why biodiversity is important to
maintaining viable ecosystems (e.g.,
biodiversity
helps increase resilience to stress and
resistance
to diseases or invading species)

Materials Needed:
Powerpoint presentation, long white papers, worksheet 1
Total
Activity
time
(75 min)
Powerpoint/Smartboard presentation
Use Smartboard to write down their responses for some
of the questions
40 min
What is a species slide: Discuss between bench
members, ask each bench to contribute one thing.
Teacher writes on slide each contribution.
For species game, generate discussion: yes or no and
10 min
why?
Biodiversity case studies Think, pair (bench), share
about pros, cons of the cases, write on slide
CHECK-in point make sure everything understands
everything from this point before moving on
15 min

Linnaeus, binomial nomenclature

o Bridging connection: Linnaeus interested in
describing and classifying a species based on

Assessment
opportunities
Diagnostic

Carrie Sun SBI3U

relatedness with others. Developed a system of

classification that allowed scientists to make
connections among closely and distantly related
species.
o Assumed a lot of wrong connections based on
morphology
o Match big cats to proper scientific name, do with
class
o Quick glance at some weird names!

10-15
min

If leftover
time,
otherwise

Taxonomic hierarchies
o King Phillip Came Over From Great Spain
emphasize phrase!
o Fill in for Kingdom, Phyllum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, Species
o Some examples explain the groupings in each
level
o Play which one of these doesnt belong and why
(move the screen down each level)
o Each level describes a specific degree of
relatedness between species

Dichotomous keys
o For akinator web genius have students pick a
character, dead or alive, real or fictional and go
through the prompts as a class. Ask how do you
think the computer does this? Acceptable:
Database of many items, and each question
eliminates some out of the database to narrow
things down
o Can also talk about the algorithm that must be
associated with this complicated dichotomous
key computed by computer algorithm program
o Relate back to classifying all 8.9 million living
things eliminate to lower and lower levels by
asking a single question
o Dichotomous key activity: Part 1 Worksheet 1
for identifying the plant. (Take up the next day).
Part 2 Think of 7 items in a group (e.g. logos,
characters, inanimate objects, imaginary animals).
Create a dichotomous key for these (hand in for
hw).
Consolidate debrief
Summarize key ideas, ensuring that the following concepts are
understood:

Diagnostic

Formative
(Worksheet)
Summative
(dichotomous
key)

Carrie Sun SBI3U

do next
day

What did we learn today? Summary slide. Make the note

together with class, write points on slide
Homework or further classroom consolidation
HW: Dichotomous key worksheets and assignment

Instructions: Write down the type of plant species each of the leaves came from,
using the dichotomous key

Carrie Sun SBI3U

Instructions: Write down the name of each species, using the dichotomous key

Carrie Sun SBI3U