Fourth graders discuss different classification schemes for living organisms. They group common household items to discover many ways to classify organisms. Students compare/contrast characteristics of each classification.

Junior biologists journey through the hiearchy of living things with these activites. Using a dichotomous key, they identify common algae, plants, and fish. They design their own key for a mixture of seeds and a collection of...

Students examine how many kinds of living things can be sorted into groups in many ways using various features to decide which things belong to which group and that classification schemes vary with purpose.

Biology novices name the seven levels of classification and use binomial nomenclature for naming living organisms. The first half of this presentation bestows a brief history of taxonomy, while the second half instructs on how to use our...

Students study binomial nomenclature and museum-based research. They create a curiosity box, label the objects in their curiosity box , develop a classification scheme for the objects, and create a database of all objects collected by...

Life science learners discuss the characteristics of five kingdoms of life: animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria in this video. Viewers find out from the dialogue that scientists group organisms according to similarities. This...

Students examine how many kinds of living things (e.g. plants and animals) can be sorted into groups in many ways using various features to decide which things belong to which group and that classification schemes vary with purpose.

Students place organisms into the correct classification and justify their reasoning. They must include all objects and have a reason for their decisions.

Learners explore the observable properties of matter and utilize them in classification. They use a binary classification system to divide objects, then justify their scheme.

Sixth graders are provided with a technological avenue from which they can demonstrate their understanding of taxonomy. They will be required to explain the basis u pon which living organisms are classified.

Pupils classify various hardware items using the attributes of the objects. In this classification lesson plan, students group objects based on their attributes and explain their classification key.

Upper elementary and middle schoolers use their observation skills to group different kinds of candy by similar characteristics. They debate whether or not we should classify objects. Finally, they learn that biologists have developed a...

Third graders differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates, and identify the main characteristics of mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. They sort and categorize different types of balls, discuss the characteristics...

Students practice using 2 different plant classification keys to identify species. They make choices between the similarities and differences between their object and the classification scheme.

Students determine what characteristics are useful in classifying items.  In this sorting organisms lesson students create and explain a classification scheme using familiar organisms. 

Students categorize animals. In this animal classification lesson, students group animals by their characteristics. Students break into groups and work together to classify the animals. Students fill out a graphic organizer with their...

Students examine the concepts of sorting and classifying animal. They use familiar animals to determine the connections between physical characteristics and categorization.

Students compare a variety or bird characteristics. They identify and classify birds within their local area. Students investigate how to examine and scrutinize differences in features of organisms and understand variation in the...

Students view NASA images of galaxies and develop a galaxy classification scheme. They compare and contrast their classification scheme with that developed by Edwin Hubble. They recognize that galaxies are collections of billions of stars.

Students classify imaginary newly discovered organisms. In this classification lesson plan, students are given cards showing imaginary organisms that have been recently discovered. They must classify the organisms based on their...

Students develop a classification scheme based on the structural features of organisms.  In this organism instructional activity students divide into teams and complete a fun activity. 

Students observe the structures of skulls as presented in drawings, and determine which are most closely related to the skull of the mosasaur.

Learners organize items in a "doohickey kit" distributed by the teachers, creating categories using classification schemes. In this classification lesson, learners compare systems within groups and write questions that could be answered...

Young scholars act as a taxonomist and, given a certain situation, classify existing organisms.