Young scholars are introduced to the concept of classification as it relates to objects, information, and characteristics.  In this classification lesson, students research a variety of animals. Young scholars study the Linnaeus's...

Fourth graders participate in a variety of activities dealing with animal characteristics and classifications in this multi-task activity. They use graphic organizers, make booklets, and make models.

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 instructional...

Tenth graders explain how organisms are classified according to similarities. In this biology lesson, 10th graders research on five different organisms of their choice. They prepare a report and presentation about them which they share...

Students examine the concepts of organization and classification. In this library skills instructional activity, students practice ordering and sorting skills by playing an interactive Internet game. Students then practice their...

Young scholars use shoes to make a classification flow chart. In this classification lesson plan, students all take one of their shoes off and put it on a table. In groups they create a classification system based on 3 characteristics of...

Students create a dichotomous key. In this categorizing lesson plan, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Students classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students discuss their...

Students explore taxonomy and how birds are classified in this scientific system. They use this knowledge to create entries for a field guide to birds that can be used to identify different species.

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...

What are the five kingdoms? Fifth graders engage in a series of investigations and research activities focused on the methods of classification used by scientists, as well as the language they use to describe the similarities and...

How do you classify a newly discovered species? Learners view a presentation and complete research about biodiversity and the classification hierarchy. The lesson includes activities with dichotomous keys and work on classifying both...

What does size have to do with it? Learners analyze different mixtures, both homogeneous and heterogeneous, to discover the properties related to the size of their particles. The activity connects these properties to those of...

Using NASA's Live Access Server, earth scientists compare the temperature, precipitation, and normalized difference vegetation index for four different locations. They use the data to identify the climate zone of each location using...

Seems like a fairly simple question—until you begin asking your class! Get pupils acquainted with the characteristics of life through pairs classification, discussion, and scientific reading. The lesson plan, part of the K20 series, also...

What do a sheep, a boy, and a bat have in common? Learn about mammals with a mini book that lists many different types of mammals. Kids can color the fun illustrations and compile the pages to publish their own mammal books.

One of the most common questions in a science classroom is, "Do we get to dissect anything?" With a fun and interactive experience, your eager biologists can perform a virtual dissection on a frog, as well as learn about different kinds...

Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...

Young geologists begin exploring volcanoes of different structures and states: active, extinct, or dormant. During the lab, they make three models and compare different types of volcanoes, including composite, cinder cone, and...

Many pupils struggle to categorize and organize related content. Multiple quizzes on a variety of topics offer practice for these specific skills. Scholars move items around until they think each is placed in the proper position....

Two blooms of phytoplankton, instead of just one, now occur in the Arctic due to declining sea ice, which will have widespread effects on the marine life and climate. In small groups, participants build an Arctic food web with given...

Turn your class discussion of rock formation from ho-hum to holy hornfels! Junior geologists gain experience in identifying rock types and rock origins, with an emphasis in hypothesizing the environment needed to form certain...

Five pages provide thorough coverage of three protozoans: euglena, amoebae, and paramecia. For each, junior biologists read factual text, label the organism, and write answers to several questions. This neatly organized assignment is...

Learners explore animal groups. In this animal science lesson, students use pictures from magazines and classify the animals into five categories. Learners share why they categorized the animals the way they did.

Seventh graders explore how to classify insects and organize information.In this insect classification lesson students use the Internet to retrieve information on insects then organize the pictures to make a book project.