Performance based assessment/ Final project.

Teacher's preparatory guide:

Purpose:

Students will create and use the set classification system for insects up to the class level, but they will create their own system to divide the insects into orders.

Time required:

One 45 minute class period.  30 minutes to create classification system and 15 minutes to answer analysis questions.

Advanced preparation:

Have copies of a variety of insects that belong to a variety of orders. Have student worksheets copies. Have glue, scissors, markers and large pieces of paper ready for each group.

Names: ________________________Date:_________Class________

Sorting all Sorts   Student Final Project

Objective:

You've read about how scientists classify living things.  Now you can have a chance to use the classification system used by biologist and create your own classification system.  Scientists had to make important choices when they designed the classification system used for living things that is in place today. You will make similar choices in this activity.

Know the score:

As you work through the activity, keep in mind that you will be earning a grade for the following:

a. how you work with the materials and equipment (5 pts)

b. how accurately you perform the instructions to create the classification system (15 pts)

c. how well you complete the analysis (10 pts)

Procedure:

1. On the large piece of paper make a branching key starting with the animal kingdom, add the arthropod and chordata phylum, then add the insect class and the arachnid class. . 

2. Look at the selection of insect given to you.  Choose some interesting features by which you can divide them into orders. 

3. Cut out the insects neatly and place them in orders.  Give each order a carefully thought out name, and glue them to the large sheet of paper under the insect class. Be sure to add their order name.

Analysis

1. How many orders of insects do you have? ______________

2. List your orders here, the insects you put into that order and describe the major characteristics you used to divide them into those orders:

 3. What major characteristics do all the insects share? ____________________
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4. If you could further divide the insect orders, what would the next classification level be? _____________________

5. How are insects related to humans?

6. How are insects related to spiders?