It's a classification sensation! Demystify why we classify using an inquiry activity that helps your class sort things out. Groups begin by classifying a variety of shoes before they research organisms and design their own dichotomous...

Introduce the logic behind a dichotomous key or administer a group performance assessment with a fun and challenging classification lesson. With explicit instructions for the teacher and for collaborative groups, as well as engaging...

Explore the scientific method of classification. An interactive activity asks learners to create a classification system for a group of objects and develop a flow chart to communicate their systems. In addition, individuals use a...

Students use pictures of animals to make a classification system. In this classification lesson plan, students are given pictures of different animals. They create a classification system for the animals and identify what they have in...

Middle schoolers explore animal characteristics by participating in a SMART board activity. In this animal classification instructional activity, students utilize a sorting chart to divide different animal names by their observable...

Sixth graders examine two-way classification systems using four mutually exclusive groups and two dimensions simultaneously. They then are given a set of plastic animals, asked to create a two-way classification system, then asked to...

Third graders practice using classification techniques to identify local trees.  For this plant life instructional activity, 3rd graders discuss how trees differ from other plants and what characteristics are unique to trees alone....

Students use diagrams to compare structural differences that taxonomists use to classify animals. In this classification lesson plan, students compare structures of different species from given diagrams. In one diagram they identify the...

Students are introduced to the classification system of animals. In groups, they set up an aquarium in which they must maintain throughout the year. They also observe earthworms and how they react to various stimuli and research the...

Explore the concept of evolution and cell biology; your class can work in groups to use the internet to view websites on evolution, take a quiz, and complete a lab activity.

Fourth graders design a classification system to categorize animate and inanimate objects. They discuss the advantages of grouping things as they classify buttons, leaves, shells.

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...

Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...

Students are guided through a process in which three questions are addressed by retrieving beta hemoglobin sequences from online databases, and using online tools to compare those sequences in student-selected animals.

Third graders practice classiyfying items and identify three major characteristics scientists use to classify animals. They describe the differences between ectothermic and endothermic animals.

Students investigate the basic characteristics of insect orders and develop short-cut techniques to identify insects into twelve of the most common orders. They use captured specimens and photographs to practice identification and then...

Students investigate the system of classification for living things through the sixteen lessons of this unit. The five kingdoms of monerans, protists, fungi, plants, and animals form the basis of several experiments as the similarities...

Students classify animals into six major animal groups and describe the characteristics of the animals found within each group.  In this living and non-living animals lesson, students observe a variety of animals, both living and...

Students review the various categories in taxonomy. In groups, they identify the characteristics of each kingdom and compare and contrast them. They define the terms binomial nomenclature and morphology. To end the lesson, they create...

An ecosystem is really just the flow of energy through many different living organisms. A study of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book leads to an environmental science activity in which learners study how various factors can affect...

Learners work together to identify groups of endangered animals. Using a pamphlet, they group the pictures according to specific criteria and cut the pictures out and color them. They place the animals in the correct habitat and share...

Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race.  In this wolf instructional activity students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.

Students study animal classification and their interactions.  In this animals and engineering lesson students study animal communities and how engineers use this knowledge to create new technologies. 

Students are introduced to the five kingdoms and discover why there is a need for a classification system. Using the internet, they examine how scientific names are created and practice putting animals into their correct classification....