Life Processes/Intro to Classification Learning Activities (Distance Learning)

This zip file contains 34 files (25 pages plus PowerPoints and answer keys) with many resources and activities which can be used to compose a unit for biology students introducing them to life processes and classification. 

All files with the exception of the PowerPoints are posted in both pdf and as word documents which can be edited for individual teacher and classroom needs.   These documents are well suited for use in distance learning environments. 

While these lessons were originally designed to correlate to the performance indicators of the New York State Living Environment/Biology curriculum, the components of this lesson may be easily used in other biology courses as well. It contains the following items: 

• Marzano self assessment scales (life processes and classification) for students specific to this unit
• Cloze completion notes on life processes and classification handouts for students with learning goals
• 77 slide PowerPoint pair to accompany the cloze notes (also contains four bell ringers with keys)
• Sources of dichotomous key activities
• PowerPoint Jeopardy Game on Life Processes and Classification
• Life Processes and Homeostasis Worksheet with key
• Life Processes Practice quiz with answers for student study
• Life Processes quiz with key
• Classification Review Sheet with key
• Classification Practice Quiz with answers for student study
• Classification Final Quiz with key

Living Environment Performance Indicators and Major Understandings

Performance Indicator 1.2 

Describe and explain the structures and functions of the human body at different organizational levels (e.g., systems, tissues, cells, organelles). 

Major Understandings 

1.2 b Humans are complex organisms. They require multiple systems for digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, excretion, movement, coordination, and immunity. The systems interact to perform the life functions. 

1.2c The components of the human body, from organ systems to cell organelles, interact to maintain a balanced internal environment. To successfully accomplish this, organisms possess a diversity of control mechanisms that detect deviations and make corrective actions. 

1.2d If there is a disruption in any human system, there may be a corresponding imbalance in homeostasis. 

Performance Indicator 5.2 

Explain disease as a failure of homeostasis.  

Major Understandings 

5.2a Homeostasis in an organism is constantly threatened. Failure to respond effectively can result in disease or death. 

Performance Indicator 5.3 

Relate processes at the system level to the cellular level in order to explain dynamic equilibrium in multicelled organisms. 

Major Understandings 

5.3a Dynamic equilibrium results from detection of and response to stimuli. Organisms detect and respond to change in a variety of ways both at the cellular level and at the organismal level. 

5.3b Feedback mechanisms have evolved that maintain homeostasis. Examples include the changes in heart rate or respiratory rate in response to increased activity in muscle cells, the maintenance of blood sugar levels by insulin from the pancreas, and the changes in openings in the leaves of plants by guard cells to regulate water loss and gas exchange. 

Appendix A Lab Skill

 ¥ Designs and uses dichotomous keys to identify specimens

Suggested Lab: Making Connections (Heart rate and effect of exercise on heart rate portions of lab) (Note: This lab is copy protected by the NY State Education Department and may not be posted in this package of materials.)

NGSS Standard 

HS-LS1-3. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis. 

Common Core State Standards Connections: 

ELA/Literacy 

WHST.9-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. 

Mathematics 

MP.4 Model with mathematics. 

Bundle and Save!! 

Many more biology materials are available from Monday's Rescue.   The Biology/Life Science Course contains 22 units which can be used to develop a full year course.   A purchase of the Biology/Life Science Course provides significant savings of over 70% compared to purchasing each of the 22 units individually.  This course is available for $24.99.   It contains over 900 pages of learning materials and 1500 plus PowerPoint slides. 

This year long course contains the following units; 

• Life Processes and Introduction to Classification Learning Activities
• Cell Structure and Function Lesson Activities
• Membrane and Membrane Processes Learning Activities
• Introduction to Biochemistry and Enzymes Lesson Activities
• Human Nutrition Learning Activities
• Human Circulation Learning Activities
• Immunity Lesson and Lab Activities
• Human Respiration Learning Activities
• Introduction to Cell Respiration Learning Activities
• Introduction to Human Excretion and Human Locomotion Learning Activities
• Nervous and Endocrine Systems Lesson Activities
• Introduction to Mitosis and Asexual Reproduction Lesson Activities
• Introduction to Meiosis Lesson Activities
• Reproduction and Development Lesson Activities
• Plant Systems and Adaptations Lesson Activities
• Photosynthesis Learning Activities
• Plant Reproduction and Development Lesson Activities
• Classical Genetics Learning Activities (Mendelian and Beyond Mendel)
• Introduction to DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis and Biotechnology Lesson Activities
• Introduction to Evolution Lesson Activities
• Ecology Lesson Activities
• Human Ecology Learning Activities
• Complete Living Environment Regents Review Packets (geared toward NY State teachers) with Answers 

View the contents of the whole year course in more detail at Biology/Life Sciences Complete Course

Terms of Use

Purchase of the product is for classroom use by the purchaser only. It is a violation for individuals, schools, and districts to redistribute or sell this item on the Internet or to other individuals. I do encourage you to use and edit these documents to suit your needs with your own students in distance learning environments.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.