Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To the Classification of Organisms

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss how scientists classify organisms. In pairs, they analyze and label "specimens" of breakfast cereals in order to classify them into the correct group. They create a dichotomous key for several species of animals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taxonomic Keys

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create their own dichotomous key. In this biology lesson, 7th graders classify animals based on their observable features. They explain how to use their dichotomous key.
Lesson Plan
Michigan State University

Bug Lyphe!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Introduce ecology classes to biodiversity and interdependence in ecosystems with a PowerPoint presentation. Then, they get up-close and personal with the invertebrate world by collecting insects, classifying them, and graphing their...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Classification

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keys To Trees: Dichotomous Tree Identification

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders gather samples of different tree leaves in their neighborhoods, and on school grounds, and identify several species of common South Carolina trees using leaf and growth characteristics with aid of dichotomous key.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Key To Classifying Animals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Explorers of the environment construct a dichotomous key for a variety of organisms and design a key to classify Galapagos animals based on descriptions and images. The lesson includes a link to an animal gallery and the worksheet for...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Fish Identification

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Using a dichotomous key, pupils identify characteristics of fish who live in the Great Lakes and explain how these features help them survive. In small groups, class members discover what features scientists consider important and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paleoecology Using "Fossilized" Owl Pellets

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the differences in anatomy to help identify different species and use a dichotomous key to identify what the owls were eating.  For this investigative lesson students dissect owl pellets to identify the species eaten...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird Ecology Unit

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders conduct various activities utilizing the scientific method to formulate a hypothesis, conduct a controlled experiment, collect and analyze the data and communicate their results through a poster. They also identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In a Class of Their Own

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Determining Stream Health by the Diversity and Types of Benthic Organisms

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using a Dichotomous Key for Invertebrate Phyla

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use a key to determine the phyla of invertebrates. They are broken into groups and each group gets a stack of pictures and uses the key to determine which phyla the animal belongs to. There are also individual questions for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bean Sort

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define and discuss dichotomous keys. They create a dichotomous key to identify a bag of mixed beans, and assign their group of beans a genus and species name.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrate Classification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of 'pill bugs'

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define words. They create a dichotomous key. After carefully examining pill bugs, 5th graders record observations. They compare and contrast habitats of pillbugs.
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Species Discovery

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in the Biosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Environmental explorers examine the campus and take note of living organisms. Introduce them to the biosphere and the questions of the day: How much water can be found in the biosphere? A slide show helps you along, and even contains a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classify Machines that Fly!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore flight and the dichotomous key. In this flight lesson, 8th graders gain understanding of the dichotomous key and create one of their own. Students then use their dichotomous key to classify types of aircraft.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Dichotomous Key of Idaho Reptiles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the reptile section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They make a dichotomous key and decide on what defining characteristics they can use to distinguish between species. They hone their observation skills and recognize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of "Pillbugs"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
Lesson Plan
ARKive

Primate Evolution- Family Ties

For Teachers 7th - 12th
If humans evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Using captivating pictures and videos of our primate cousins, young biologists examine evidence to dispel one of the most common misconceptions about human evolution. Depending on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Tree-mendous Project

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use their observation and measurement skills to identify trees. Using a tree diagram, they label the parts and discuss the functions of the tree. They practice using a dichotomous key to identify trees as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jewel of the Earth

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate several organisms, set sticky traps to collect them, and attempt to identify and classify them using a variety of sources. The origins of the organisms are traced and their adaptive features examined.

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