Curated OER
Classification Schemes
Students place organisms into the correct classification and justify their reasoning. They must include all objects and have a reason for their decisions.
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Ocean Creature Classification
Students develop their own system for classifying a group of objects or organisms using observed similarities and differences. They investigate the process of scientific classification, and explain how marine organisms are classified by...
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Why Taxonomy?
Students investigate the need for taxonomy and perform a variety of activities that will make taxonomy real to them. They identify plants and animals in a specific area and record the information on a data sheet. They write stories...
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Researching Plant Life
Fourth graders examine the process of photosynthesis. Given websites about plant life, 4th graders retrieve and record accurate information about the parts of the plant and photosynthesis. Students solve a "Plant Life Mystery" from...
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Backyard Bugs
Explore the concept of scientific classification and the similarities and differences between plant and animal species. Your class will participate in hands-on activities by investigating dichotomous keys and classifying their shoes. To...
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Plant Diversity and Distribution
Students construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
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Plant Classification
Young scholars participate in an experiment that involves plant classification. They identify and are able to employ three methods of classifying leaves. Each student classifies leaves by each of the following methods: K-I 4.b, d, &...
Captain Planet Foundation
Which Plant Is Which?
Learn about dichotomous keys, plant identification, and how to care for the planet with a lesson that includes several hands-on and innovative activities. Kids go on a plant scavenger hunt and classify the plants that they find...
Curated OER
Classification 1: Classification Scheme
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.
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Desert Plant Detectives
Students examine and categorize plants in their own schoolyard desert garden and then observe other plant areas of their schoolyard.
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Creating a School Herbarium
Students develop working knowledge of common plants and awareness of plant diversity by starting a school herbarium.
Curated OER
Identification of Plants and Animals
First graders identify a variety of plants and animals that can be found in the school forest, then differentiate between plants and animals. They find examples of characteristics used to differentiate between plants or animals.
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Learning About Classification
Middle schoolers explore the three main organismal divisions. Students classify organisms by invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. They observe the differences and similarities between these groups.
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Clearly Classified
Young scholars review the classification system for living organisms and apply it the classification of insects and flowers in the still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert. They create a chart classifying the animals and plants in the painting...
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Plant Puzzlers
Students determine how to sort data when presented with data cards about plants. This game requires students to make inferences about why plants might live in a particular environment and how physical characteristics influence survival...
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Colors of our Earth
Students are introduces to soil profile classification. They remember that classification of soils is an important aspect of studying soils as it aids in predicting how soils react to weathering, transport nutrients or pollution. ...
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Collecting and Classifying Pollen
Students collect and analyze pollen from different species of plants. In small groups, they classify pollen according to shape, size and physical characteristics. They draw the basic anatomy of flowering plants and create a dichotomous...
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Animals, Soil, Trees
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...
Curated OER
I Know What I Am... but, What Are You? (Classifying Living Things)
Learners examine how to classify living things by effects, environment, and activity. They explore various websites, develop a list of facts they learn about classifications, and participate in a distance online learning session with the...
Curated OER
4th Grade Life Science Unit: Animals
Fourth graders classify animals. In this animal kingdom instructional activity, 4th graders research animal habitats and behaviors. Students connect to a zoologist via SKYPE and learn about animal classification. Students blog about...
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Create a Critter Collage
Students create a collage. In this animal classification instructional activity, students discuss why and how scientists classify animals. Students view pictures of different animals and decide which class each animal belongs to....
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Sprouting Scientists!
First graders observe and describe plants as they grow from seeds.
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The "Nuts and Bolts" of Taxonomy and Classification
Students develop classification scheme that meets the established rules of the Linnaean system. They write one page essay on classification choices.
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Evolution
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.