Students examine invertebrates. In this animal classification instructional activity, students discuss invertebrates and bilateral symmetry. They discuss the importance of horse shoe crabs in medical science.

This PowerPoint includes a game with ocean graphics in which two teams answer increasingly difficult questions about animals. Topics covered include plant and animal cells, animal adaptation, and similarities and differences between...

Pupils share with the class how they think plants are classified and are assessed on their prior knowledge. They use a packet to complete throughout the week at their own pace, which includes various activities to familiarize themselves...

Students use picture cards to familiarize themselves with plant structures and characteristics. They collect plant specimens without destroying the plant and mount them creating a class herbarium.

A branching key is a great way to classify different types of animals and plants! Fifth graders answer several yes/no answers about three different plants. They then create their own key to differentiate between an iris, a rose, and a...

Compare and contrast eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses with a chart and a Venn diagram. Beginning microbiologists consider motility, reproductive ability, DNA content, and the presence of organelles. They write short answers to...

Here is a collection of 22 multiple-choice questions on topics from the physical and life sciences. Apparently they came from an 8th grade comprehensive science exam and have been released for public use. They may serve as a sufficient...

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...

Students classify leaves by shape and margins and use them to create models of plant fossils. By using paper over a leaf, they simulate fossilization of organisms onto sedimentary rocks. Following instructions on worksheets, students...

Learners discuss what makes a living thing (for example, cellular respiration) and collect a selection of living things from outside. They divide their organisms into plants and animals and create a key for the divisions.

Students investigate plant adaptations. In this plant adaptations activity, students create a model of a plant. Students are given action cards detailing specific environmental situations. Students design their plant to adapt to the...

Young scholars discover how plants spread their seeds using other plants and animals. In this plant lesson, students role play different plants and how their seeds travel. Young scholars then have a class discussion to ensure their...

In this botany worksheet, students read a 2 page article on botany, choose the multiple choice answer to 3 questions, determine if 3 statements are true of false and fill in the blanks in 5 facts about botany.

First graders examine seeds. In this Science lesson, 1st graders classify and dissect seeds. Students sprout their own seeds in the classroom.

A great way to classify organisms, is by counting the number of legs it has or how it moves. Little ones count the legs on five different creatures, then match the leg count to the proper animal name. Tip: Have them come up with other...

Learners use a written key or illustrated key to identify fungi on plant leaves into its genus based on sexual or asexual reproduction, host range diversity, and host-parasite relationships.

Students explore, experience and experiment identifying the human impact on the environment of vegetative differences within the same biome. They assess what causes deserts, rain forests, savannahs, tundras and saguaros and how these...

Students practice using 2 different plant classification keys to identify species. They make choices between the similarities and differences between their object and the classification scheme.

Young scholars view a display of empty food containers (or illustrations). They select a food and decide as a class if it has an animal or plant origin. Students view a display of common farm animals that are commonly eaten (cow, pig,...

Students examine the species that depend on a poa grass for their habitat and interpret data to demonstrate biomass and number pyramids. They examine the plant by digging it up and pulling it apart quickly to capture all the...

In this PowerPoint, students participate in a variation of tic tac toe in which questions about the animal and plant kingdom are presented and students move to various locations on the game board.

Fifth graders examine ecosystems in their schoolyard. In this nature and ecosystem lesson, 5th graders map their schoolyard into workable plots. They classify plants and animals found in the plot. They revisit their site every two weeks...

Students compare and contrast living and nonliving things. In this classification lesson plan, students read a book featuring living and nonliving things and then sort pictures of living and nonliving things.

Students solve a mystery of the identification of a unknown organism by comparing its morphological characteristics to those in a tree of life classification poster. They compare the observable characteristics of the specimen and...