In this classifying critters instructional activity, students read a 1 page article on classifying living organisms and then answer 10 true or false, short answer, multiple choice or fill in the blank questions.

Students construct a phylogenetic tree for various automobiles and trucks after considering important characteristics of these "organisms". They work in small groups to construct the trees and complete a set of questions then they...

Students 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, chicken,...

Students read an article on the characteristics of wolves and dogs then complete a phylogenetic tree of the canid family. They then write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.

Students classify animals based on their physical characteristics and eating habits.  For this animal identification lesson plan, students investigate the life forms shown on a Parisian ceramic basin, and discover ecosystem the...

Fifth graders prepare for a "Mad Scientists Fair" by creating a controlled study and by conducting experiments. They make and record observations and classify specimens according to characteristics. They compare results to their original...

Students practice sorting and classifying objects. In groups, they choose a variety of materials and describe how each one looks and feels. They must agree on how to classify each object and share their groupings with the class. They...

Students investigate the concept of birds. They identify five different types of birds and name the characteristics that make them different than other living things. Students also name the different parts of the bird and how they are...

Students examine how to take a sample by looking at rocks in the schoolyard. In this sampling lesson, students discuss ways to classify rocks by color, size, and weight. They think about how many rocks would make a good sample of...

Students examine Morse code and how it is used.  In this secret codes lesson students decode messages, make their own codes and have other students crack the code.    

Students identify how objects can be sorted or classified for easy access. For this sorting activity, students will investigate how letters, numbers, and symbols are used in sorting and classifying.

Students work together to review the concepts of food webs and food chains. They describe the role of plants and animals when dealing with the cycling of energy. They identify any behavioural strategies to help the animals survive.

Students investigate techniques that can be used to observe the development of the chick embryo. They explore the environment in which the chick develops and how it can be manipulated.

Young scholars use their senses to compare a frog and a hamster. For this animals comparison lesson plan, students get into groups and observe, smell, feel, and listen to what their animals are like, and classify them into categories.

Students identify different woods based on their density. In this density lesson, students use a triple beam balance to find the mass and a metric ruler for the volume. They look through various wood blocks and identify what type of wood...

Students observe and classify objects that float or sink.

Students examine the definition of species. Students complete a phylogentic tree of the Canidae family. They write an essay justifying why or why not wolves and dogs should be classified as different species.

In this biodiversity learning exercise, students sort and classify animals by their observable features using a dichotomous key. Students then respond to questions about complete and incomplete metamorphosis.

Students explore different types of trees. In this tree lesson plan, students use a digital camera to photograph trees in their area and upload them to a computer. Students will share their findings by using their photos to make a...

For this resource lesson, students use non-fiction books to research ocean animals. Students discover the many features of non-fiction books and how to use these features to help them conduct research. Students then categorize ocean...

Students distinguish between walking, jogging and running trackways in humans. They analyze the phylogenetic progression of the leg position as described by pace width and angulation, comparing amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Research...

Students investigate the basic characteristics of insect orders and develop short-cut techniques to identify insects into twelve of the most common orders. They use captured specimens and photographs to practice identification and then...

Young scientists use the Internet to evaluate how organisms are classified. They research the phylogeny of organisms and how they are linked in a certain way. Pupils hone research technology skills with their final presentations.

In this biology instructional activity, students complete 19 short answer questions about biodiversity and information obtained during a class video.