Solving the Mysteries of Life
Standard 7.2 Classifies living things based on their
characteristics
Ready, Set, Explore!
Welcome, Biologist-in-Training! You about to partake in a series of explorations to become a Sigma Biologist who's an expert about living things. Some of you may choose to go above and beyond to become a Doctor of Biology on Team Sigma. You will complete Explorations to earn points toward biology badges.
You will explore three "Big Idea" questions about living things:
Rules of the Game:
- Exploration 2: Lab Assistant
- Exploration 3: Sigma Biologist
- 10,000 or more bonus points: Doctor of Biology
Welcome, Biologist-in-Training! You about to partake in a series of explorations to become a Sigma Biologist who's an expert about living things. Some of you may choose to go above and beyond to become a Doctor of Biology on Team Sigma. You will complete Explorations to earn points toward biology badges.
You will explore three "Big Idea" questions about living things:
- What are the characteristics of all living things?
- Where do living things come from?
- How are living things classified?
Rules of the Game:
- The goal of the game is to become, at minimum, a Sigma Biologist. This requires you to earn a total of 120,000 points. If you have your sights set on becoming of Doctor of Biology, you will need to earn 130,000 points.
- On your journey to becoming a Sigma Biologist , you will chose different options for each Exploration that are worth different point values. You must earn the minimum amount of points for each Exploration to advance to the next Exploration.
- At the completion of each Exploration, you will receive a badge that communicates your level of expertise about biology; as you complete Explorations, you move up the hierarchy of expertise.
- Exploration 2: Lab Assistant
- Exploration 3: Sigma Biologist
- 10,000 or more bonus points: Doctor of Biology
Biologist-in-Training, to become a Research Technician, you must earn a minimum of 40,000 points.
- Minimum of 10,000 points need to come from the BLUE options.
- Minimum of 30,000 points needs to come from the GREEN options.
- Bonus Points can be earned by completing the PURPLE options.
Options Menu:
- 1,000 points - Discovery Science: Characteristics of Living Things Watch Video Here
- 2,000 points - Read Characteristics of Living Things Flexbook Start Reading Here
- 2,000 points - Read How Living Things Are Classified Start Reading Here
- 2,000 points - What is Life? PowerPoint Explore Here
- 8,000 points - Complete Is It Living? Response Sheet Download PDF
- 8,000 points - Answer Characteristics of Living Organisms Flexbook Lesson Review Questions 1-6 Download PDF
- 30,000 points - Create a one-page digital poster/collage using pictures and words to describe the characteristics. Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Create a slide show with one slide for each characteristic. Use pictures and words to describe the characteristics. Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Create a foldable with one section for each characteristic. Use pictures and words to describe the characteristics. Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Create a children's storybook using pictures and words to describe the characteristics Download Rubric
- 1,000 points - Get feedback on your poster/collage, slide show, or foldable prior to submitting your final draft. You will need to include evidence that your work was reviewed when you submit it.
- 2,000 points - Receive feedback about your project from an appropriate audience in Iowa. Submit evidence of the feedback to claim your bonus points.
- 3,000 points - Receive feedback about your project from an appropriate audience outside of Iowa. Submit evidence of the feedback to claim your bonus points
You have made it this far, but to unlock the next lab room and complete Exploration 2, you must play GAME OF WITS! You will not receive access to Exploration 2 until you get 100% of question correct.
Click HERE to test your knowledge of living things.
Wondering how to turn in your completed work so you can get your badge?
Follow these steps:
Follow these steps:
- Upload all of your work for this Exploration as a PDF to Google DRIVE.
- Log into Google CLASSROOM. Locate the assignment for RESEARCH TECHNICIAN REPORT.
|
3. Mrs. Heitz will review your work and award your badge and new title ASAP. In the mean time, you can go ahead and continue on to Exploration 2.
BIOLOGY BLING!
Wanna earn some "BIOLOGY BLING?" . . .Here's How:
WANT MORE BLING? Talk with Mrs. Heitz. Propose earning bling my completing extra tasks. This is still under construction . . .
- You can earn BIOLOGY BLING at any time during the game AFTER you have earned your RESEARCH TECHNICIAN badge.
- Pick an activity from the orange list below that sounds interesting to you. Click on the link for that activity.
- Ask Mrs. Heitz to log you in. (This will notify her that you are working on earning some BIOLOGY BLING.)
- Follow the directions for the activity to complete it.
- Show Mrs. Heitz proof that you have completed the activity.
- Upon satisfactory completion of the activity, you will be able to choose any one BIOLOGY BLING to add to your biologist character. You can complete all activities, for up to six BIOLOGY BLING's
WANT MORE BLING? Talk with Mrs. Heitz. Propose earning bling my completing extra tasks. This is still under construction . . .
Activity Options Menu:
|
|
Research Technician, to become a Lab Assistant, you must earn a minimum of 40,000 points.
Options Menu:
- Minimum of 10,000 points need to come from the BLUE options.
- Minimum of 30,000 points needs to come from the GREEN options.
- Bonus Points can be earned by completing the PURPLE options.
Options Menu:
- 500 points - Spontaneous Generation Video Watch Video Segment Here
- 1,000 points - Life - Where Did it Begin? PowerPoint Explore Here
- 1,000 points - Read Where do living things come from? Start Reading Here
- 1,000 points - Read The Slow Death of Spontaneous Generation? Start Reading Here
- 8,000 points - Complete Visualizing the Origins of Life Download PDF
- 8,000 points - Complete Setting the Record Straight Download PDF
- 30,000 points - Write a letter to one of the four scientists involved in the SG vs. BG debate explaining what you have learned about him, how his and the other scientists' work has impacted your life today, and why you do OR do not support his experimental design and conclusion. Include reference to the work of the other three scientists involved in the debate. Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Write a script dialog/interview between two or more of the scientists discussing their ideas about SB and BG. Be sure to make it clear which theory each scientist supported. Include reference to the work of ALL four of the scientists involved in the debate and how their contributions affect your life today. If you choose to do the interview option, have a scientist not directly involved in the debate ask the interview questions. This could be you, a famous talk show host, or a different scientist. *See BONUS options Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Author a comic book (graphic novel) documenting the work that one of the scientists completed related to SB or BG. Your story line should include what you think life was like for the scientist before, during, and after he published his work. Include reference to the work of ALL four of the scientists involved in the debate and how their contributions affect your life today. Download Rubric
- 1,000 points - Perform your script dialog/interview. You can either record it using iMovie or perform it live during class time.
- 1,000 points - Get feedback on your letter, dialog, or comic book prior to submitting your final draft. You will need to include evidence that your work was reviewed when you submit it.
- 2,000 points - Find an age-appropriate audience in Iowa to share your collage, slide show, foldable. Submit proof that your creation was shared.
- 3,000 points - Find an appropriate audience outside of Iowa to share your collage, slide show, foldable. Submit proof that your creation was shared.
Way to go! You are well on your way to becoming a Sigma Biologist, but to unlock the next lab room and complete Exploration 3, you must play another GAME OF WITS!
Click HERE to test your knowledge of where living things come from. |
Are you ahead in the game? Don't forget you can take some time to earn some BIOLOGY BLING for your scientist game piece. Check out the list of activity options below.
Activity Options Menu:
Misc. Options Menu:
Activity Options Menu:
- Family Tree Matching Game
- Critters! Virtual Lab
- What's in a Name? Interactive Website
- Cat Classification Interactive Game
- Same Species, Different Species Classification Exploration
Misc. Options Menu:
- Ask Mrs. Heitz if she needs any assistance. Bling will be awarded based on Mrs. Heitz's need for help.
- Complete above and beyond the 10,000 points for blue options.
- Find a SUPER AWESOME YouTube video or website related to the content of this level and share a link to it with Mrs. Heitz.
- Create a review game for others to play. Any game format will work.
- Propose an idea to Mrs. Heitz.
Lab Assistant, you are so close to reaching your goal to become a Sigma Biologist. Keep up the hard word! You need to earn a minimum of 40,000 points to earn your badge.
- Minimum of 10,000 points need to come from the BLUE options.
- Minimum of 30,000 points needs to come from the GREEN options.
- Bonus Points can be earned by completing the PURPLE options.
Download Guidelines for Creating Latin Name Download Rubric Download Mrs. Heitz's Example
- 500 points - Read the biography of Carl Linnaeus: The Father of Binomial Nomenclature Download PDF
- 500 points - Create a mnemonic device to help remember the order of the levels of classification in order. Download PDF
- 500 points - Research Latin Name - What's in a Name? Record Findings Here
- 1,000 points - Read How Are Living Things Classified? Read Here
- 1,000 points - View Classification Presentation Download PPT
- 3,000 points - Answer the REVIEW QUESTIONS on the last slide of the Classification Presentation. Download PDF questions
- 3,000 points - Answer How Are Living Things Classified? Reading Questions Download PDF
- 5,000 points - Classify Norns using a Dichotomous Key Download PDF
- 30,000 points - Create your own Latin Name Tag. First, "Latinize" your name by following the guidelines for names. Once you have your Latin name created, create your name tag document. This should be written in 3rd person and should mirror the type of writing you would read in a science book about animals. Include information about yourself: background info, hobbies, pets, likes/dislikes, etc. Download Scientific Name Guidelines Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Create an Animal Fact Page. Choose an organism from the animal kingdom. Research information about the organism to complete the Fact Page Template. Download Template Download Rubric
- 30,000 points - Create your Personalized Dichotomous Key. Choose a group of objects/organisms that have something in common. Create a dichotomous key, based on characteristics you choose, so others can identify the name of the objects/organisms. Download Directions Download Analysis Questions Download Rubric
- 1,000 points - Get feedback on your name tag, fact page, or dichotomous key prior to submitting your final draft. You will need to include evidence that your work was reviewed when you submit it.
- 2,000 points - Find an age-appropriate audience in Iowa to share your collage, slide show, foldable. Submit proof that your creation was shared.
- 3,000 points - Find an appropriate audience outside of Iowa to share your collage, slide show, foldable. Submit proof that your creation was shared.
- 5,000 points - 60,000 point option COMBO: Complete Dichotomous Key + Latin Name Tag or Animal Fact Sheet
You have made it this far, but to exit the laboratory, you must play your final GAME OF WITS! Click HERE for to test your knowledge of Classification. |
ULTIMATE GAME OF WITS!Here's your final challenge! This Game of Wits tests your knowledge of all three explorations about living things. You must score 100% to finish your Living Things Exploration. Good Luck!!
Click HERE to test your knowledge. |
Are you ahead in the game? Don't forget you can take some time to earn some BIOLOGY BLING for your scientist game piece. Check out the list of activity options below.
Activity Options Menu:
Misc. Options Menu:
Activity Options Menu:
- Family Tree Matching Game
- Critters! Virtual Lab
- What's in a Name? Interactive Website
- Cat Classification Interactive Game
- Same Species, Different Species Classification Exploration
- Life on the Edge Interactive Game
- Bacteria Reproduction: Double Trouble Interactive Game
- Animal Defense Interactive Game
- The Yeast You Can Do Virtual Lab
- Build a Plant Interactive Game
- One Tomato, Two Tomato Interactive Lab
- Oddballs Interactive Game
- Fantastic Fungi Interactive Game
Misc. Options Menu:
- Complete the Living Things Study Guide and get answer key from Mrs. Heitz to check it. Download PDF
- Ask Mrs. Heitz if she needs any assistance. Bling will be awarded based on Mrs. Heitz's need for help.
- Complete above and beyond the 10,000 points for blue options.
- Find a SUPER AWESOME YouTube video or website related to the content of this level and share a link to it with Mrs. Heitz.
- Create a review game for others to play. Any game format will work.
- Propose an idea to Mrs. Heitz.
ABOVE AND BEYONDIf you were successful in earning a minimum of 10,000 bonus points, you have earned the honor of Dr. of Biology! Congrats on your hard work and extra effort!
Double check your point total with Mrs. Heitz to receive your badge. If you haven't earned 10,000 points yet, but want to, here are some options:
|