Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dichotomous Keys

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students define the word dichotomous and explain why a dichotomous key is a useful tool in identifying different species. Then they look up words they are unfamiliar with or mollusk reference books so students can learn the names of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have the Key?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students practice using a dichotomous key. In this classification lesson, students read an article about scientific exploration and identification of new species. They use a dichotomous key to identify objects and create their own key.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mollusk Matching

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students look carefully at shells and observe the differences between species and the names of common shells. Then they identify and complete a Mollusk Matching handout included in the lesson and write the letter of each shell in the...