Students classifying animals into meaningful categories, explain what kind of classification system biologists use, create dichotomous keys, and identify animals from classmates' keys.

Overall Rating:

Grades:

4th - 6th

Students classify a variety of items before investigating how to classify animals using Aristotle's classification system.

Overall Rating:

Grades:

4th - 7th

Students work with a set of objects to set up both quantitative and qualitative classification systems. As a group, students follow an example to design and complete two classification systems using a set of objects provided. Individually, they describe how another object would fit into one of their systems, describe other classification systems the group could have used, and relate classification to everyday life.

Overall Rating:

Grades:

9th - 12th

Students explore, analyze and study the history of classification systems and the scientific processes that influenced modern classification methods. They evaluate why classification and binomial nomenclature are necessary to the field of classifying organisms.

Overall Rating:

Grades:

6th

Students use scientific references and dichotomous keys for classification. They use pasta, rice, and prior knowledge of the nine planets to construct multi-stage classification systems. In addition, they provide a written rational statement for choice of categories for subsets used.

Overall Rating:

Grades:

7th - 9th