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

In this classifying dinosaurs worksheet, students follow directions to make a classification chart for each kind of dinosaur. Students follow 16 sets of directions.

Students describe the characteristics of a mammal. They also differentiate between a companion and a wild animal. The lesson has an assessment included in it. They have a discussion to tap prior knowledge about what a mammal is.

In this animal classification worksheet, students will write in 5 examples of vertebrate animals and 6 examples of invertebrates. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.

An overview of the five kingdoms within the biological classification system is presented in this set of five slides. The first lists the objectives of the slide show, and the second gives general characteristics of plant, animal, and...

Young scholars 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...

How can one differentiate between a dweezlebub and nessie? Use this fictitious creature dichotomous key to find out! Biologists of all ages will enjoy this creative way to learn about classification, including a chance to draw the...

How many of your students know that even today new species are being found all over the globe? Introduce them to the amazing diversity our planet houses with a creative activity about animal variation and classification. They'll use a...

Learners investigate body systems by participating in a role-play activity. Third, fourth, and fifth graders pretend that they are an organ or system of the human body, and they must write a letter to the body "corporation" discussing...

As a review or note taking guide, this resource wraps up a unit on the tree of life. Biology bigwigs define phylogeny and answer questions about the subsequent classification of organisms. The worksheet takes a straightforward and...

Learners view a PowerPoint presentation on biomes and their classifications. Divide them into groups and assign them each an individual biome to research. There are pictures of the PowerPoint slides and notes about what to teach for...

A well-designed lesson plan on rock classification awaits you. In it, fifth graders are divided into groups. Each group is given a box of rocks which they must sort into two categories. They use the "Rock 'n Roll Rule," in making their...

Middle schoolers comprehend how satellites use remote sensing to produce images. They use supervised classification with Landsat images. Students recognize that the earth's surface has different basic land surfaces that reflect/emit...

What a terrific lesson! Learners discuss the animal kingdom, and classify them as vertebrates and invertebrates. They also identify them as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There is even a taxonomic breakdown of popular...

What can one learn about a planet based on a small surface sample? Learners will explore artifacts from a mystery planet and see what they can determine about the planet based on the evidence in front of them. 

Students classify organisms into one of five categories: producer, consumer, decomposer, predator, or prey. Students play a "Who Am I" game. Signs are hung on the backs of fellow students They must ask questions to determine what...

Gardeners are given an individual plant specimen from a bouquet of local rain garden plants. They group up by their plant type and then make observations together, name the plant, and introduce it to the rest of the class. You then share...

Learners identify the functions of various body parts. They participate in the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song, draw a picture of themselves and other mammals, and create a traced outline of their body that they add features to....

Follow the life cycle of a dandelion with a lab sheet for kindergartners. They learn about the order of events in a dandelion's life, then put the stages of life in order. Can they describe the life cycle of a pumpkin? For extra...

Examine cyanobacteria cells as an example of prokaryotes and several other alga as examples of eukaryotes. Future biologists compare the two and notice the absence of nuclei in prokaryotes. These are classic activities for this purpose,...

I spy a spine. The 19th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program explores vertebrate species, such as sharks and other fish. Learners take part in an activity evaluating the...

Students take on the role of epidemiologists. They investigate an "outbreak" in serious birth defects that occur in infants born to teenage girls. students discover a link between the use of the acne drug called Accutane and birth defects.

Will that structure survive the force? The differentiated lesson allows pairs to choose the structure they would like to construct and the building materials they wish to use. Individuals record their findings in...

Four lessons spotlight a variety of professions while boosting listening and observational skills and making inferences. Lesson one challenges pupils to group cards based on a commonality then justify the relationship they see....