Organism Portfolio
Your assignment will be to observe, collect (sometimes), describe, draw, identify, and classify macro organisms, those that can be seen without a microscope.You will be expected (a) to cover a wide variety of organisms within the Protista, Plant, Animal, and Fungus Kingdoms, and (b) to investigate in depth and/or collect in depth within one category, to include a phylum, class, order, species, or genus.
You will be expected to maintain the Organism Portfolio in your existing science binder, or an alternate folder or binder. Supplies such as clear packing tape and plastic covers will be available to assist in the preservation and display of specimens such as leaves of trees or small insects.
Collection will be made only of those specimens that are so plentiful that collection will not stress the population of organisms. Example, leaves of a tree, ants, certain beetles, certain moths, discarded feathers of a bird, etc. Organisms must be dried and suitable for preservation inside a plastic sleeve.
Examples of
specimens NOT
to collect.
Details to record for each organism:
Specimen included in portfolio? (Yes or No)Common name of organismComplete taxonomy of organismDate and location where found/observedHabitatCharacteristics of organismHow organism reproducesStress factors for organismComments, such as use, problems, history.
Example: the common dandelion
A creative way to display the pressed dandelion.
Another approach.
Another approach.
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Cichorieae
Genus: Taraxacum
Species: T. officinale
Taxonomy of Taraxacum officinale, the dandelion
Dandelion, observed and collected on April 9, 2012
Seneca Ridge area near portables, 10AM
Habitat : Grassy fieldCharacteristics of organism: Low lying plant, with yellow flower, turns to white seed heads when mature, green leavesStress factors for organism: Lack of sunshine means it won’t grow well in forest, herbicides applied by humans can kill it.Comments, such as use, problems, history. Used for various medications, salads, even wines throughout history. Gardeners often attempt to pull them out, but dandelions regrow from the tiniest of root system left in the ground.
Dandelions reproduce in an unusual way. The
flowers have pollen, and close up at night like
many plants that reproduce with two parents
(sexual). However, most of the time, the
dandelion seeds are reproduced asexually
(cloned) and are attached to parachutes to
float in the wind and make many more
dandelion plants.
In addition, there are many species of
plants , animals, and fungi on SRMS and
DHS grounds that have not yet been
identified for certain. In some cases, it
would be good to have a marker
identifying the organism, like some of
the trees. In other cases, it simply
would be great to solve a mystery. For
example, a pair of birds used to inhabit
the top of the canopy, now are on the
roof…and the i.d. isn’t at 100% yet.
Mysteries to solve: Exactly what species of
bird is on the SRMS roof this spring? Mr.
Peck is confident it is a Plover, but there are
40 species of Plover. He thinks it’s probably
a Killdeer, pictured to the left, and not a
Wilson Plover, pictured to the right. If
there’s a patch of orange around the eyes
for our SRMS bird, that can help.
Ground Rules.
1. While outdoors, you are still in class
2. Water fountain and restroom visits BEFORE
heading outdoors.
3. Parental notification form must be returned
by next week.
4. You must stay in eyesight of the teacher,
except if working the garden plot.
5. You must not wander more than 30 meters
from other students
6. If you are unable to work outside due to
health, clothing, parental concerns, or
behavior issues, then you will return to the
school (solo) to work in ISR or library on
alternate assignment. No Internet access.
7. Unless you have an APP such as Leafsnap to
identify organisms, no electronics outdoors.
IN SCHOOL RESTRICTION work is to be quiet, solo, work, in Ms. McGill’s room in the hallway close to the cafeteria. It is not punishment for students, but a suitable way to let the rest of the class conduct the outdoor activity while you continue to learn in school.
Rubric:
•Did the portfolio demonstrate that a careful
study was conducted to collect and research
information for the portfolio?
•Was there an appropriate quantity of specimens
in the portfolio?
•Were four kingdoms represented?
•Was there a quality in-depth presentation on one
or more organisms?
•Were the taxonomy and other information
complete and accurate?