Grade 9: Unit A Biological Diversity

1. Aims/ Key Concepts

1.1. -biological diversity -species -diversity within species -habitat diversity -niches -populations -asexual and sexual reproduction

1.2. -inheritance -chromosomes, genes and DNA (introductory treatment) -cell division >includes binary fission and -formation of sex cells -natural and artificial selection of genetic characteristics

2. Teaching Approaches

2.1. Class Discussions

2.2. Lectures

2.3. Prezi and Powerpoint presentations

2.4. Simulations

2.5. Labs

2.6. Think, Pair, Share

2.7. Videos

2.8. Class Projects

3. Genetics and Variation within and among species

3.1. 1. General Unit Introduction

3.1.1. What is Biological Diversity

3.1.2. Discuss diversity within and among species

3.2. 2. Lab- variations of heritable traits among students in the classroom and among students and their parents.

3.3. 3. Habitat and Lifestyle and a short summative assessment

3.3.1. 3. Prezi lecture and doing some questions from Wrap-up Topic 1-2

3.4. 4. Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

3.4.1. Binary Fission

3.4.2. Asexual Spores

3.4.3. Asexual reproduction in plants

3.4.4. Budding

3.4.5. Sexual Reproduction in Plants

3.4.6. Sexual reproduction in Animals

3.4.7. 6. DNA and Chromosomes

3.5. 5. Variations

3.5.1. Continuous and discrete

3.5.2. Recessive and Dominant traits

3.5.3. Nature vs. Nurture

3.5.4. Mutations and mutagens

3.6. 6. Quiz Day

3.6.1. Summative Assessment

3.7. 7. Artificial and Natural Selection

3.7.1. Breeding

3.7.2. Cloning

3.7.3. Human impact on Biodiversity and Extinction

3.7.4. Preserving Biodiversity

3.7.4.1. Zoo's

3.7.4.2. Seed bank

3.8. 8. Unit Review Class

3.8.1. Lecture

3.8.2. Free Class time

3.9. 9. Unit Exam

3.10. Resources: Science Focus 9, Copyright 2002. Unit A: Biological Diversity

4. Outcomes for STS and Knowledge

4.1. 1. Investigate and interpret diversity among species and within species, and describe how diversity contributes to species survival

4.2. 2. Investigate the nature of reproductive processes and their role in transmitting species characteristics

4.3. 3. Describe, in general terms, the role of genetic materials in the continuity and variation of species characteristics; and investigate and interpret related technologies

4.4. 4. Identify impacts of human action on species survival and variation within species, and analyze related issues for personal and public decision making

4.5. Resources: Alberta Education Program of studies, Science 7-9. Pages 51-54

5. Assessment Tasks

5.1. Prior Knowledge Checks

5.2. Questions throughout class

5.3. Unit Finals

5.4. Quizes

5.5. Exit Slips

5.6. Lab Analyses