BBC
Walking with Dinosaurs
Breath new life into your class's study of dinosaurs with this extensive collection of materials. Offering everything from a printable T-rex mask, word searches, and connect-the-dots activities to informational handouts, hands-on...
Curated OER
Science: Teddy Bear Nation
Students sort teddy bears according to types and then graph the results. They each bring a bear to class and then discuss their similarities and differences. Once the bears have been sorted into groups according to size and color,...
Curated OER
Classify Animals
Give your class an idea of how animals are classified by scientists with this interactive PowerPoint activity. They are presented with six different animals, they answer yes or no questions until only one animal remains alongside...
Curated OER
Science: How to Identify Insects
First graders discover how to distinguish spiders from insects by understanding the characteristics of each. They sort online picture pages into the two groups and examine the insects for common attributes. Students complete a worksheet...
Curated OER
Hardware Sort
Students classify various hardware items using the attributes of the objects. In this classification lesson, students group objects based on their attributes and explain their classification key.
Captain Planet Foundation
Sorting Out Soils
Sift through soil and learn about why it's important for organic processes. After discussing what makes up soil, such as the living organisms and what types of soil have more nutrients, kids sample layers of mulch and deeper soil to...
Curated OER
Investigation: Reasoning and Proof
Students explore animal characteristics by creating illustrations. In this animal identification instructional activity, students read a list of animal descriptions which they draw using crayons or colored pencils. Students view their...
Curated OER
An Introduction to Acids and Bases
Students explore acids and bases. In this lesson about acids and bases, students do an experiment to test certain items to determine what they are. Students use cabbage and litmus paper as indicators. Students understand how to sort the...
Curated OER
Sorting and Using Materials
Students explore materials and their properties. In this matter lesson, students identify objects and describe their properties. Students test and sort materials using an interactive whiteboard, followed by a group discussion of what was...
Curated OER
The Great Rock Sort
Students describe and sort rocks according to their physical properties. They listen to a story and discuss what they know about rocks, then work with a partner to discuss how their sample rocks differ from each other.
Curated OER
Sorting Objects
First graders experiment with sorting. In this sorting instructional activity, 1st graders separate objects according to one attribute: smooth, rough, hard or soft.
Curated OER
All Sorts of Seeds!
First graders compare seeds and explore how they are carried through the environment.
Alabama Wildlife Federation
Fill the Bill
A hummingbird isn't the only bird with a unique beak. After a discussion about the specific characteristics of bird beaks, pupils complete a station rotation and use different tools to simulate the function of different beaks. They...
Curated OER
Seeds in Fall...Collect Them All!
Classify seeds by attributes such as size, shape and color! Learners classify seeds using a dichotomous key. They identify human behaviors that have a positive impact on preserving seed and plant biodiversity.
Curated OER
Name That Leaf
Take a walk through nature with a science experiment about leaves. Third graders use a branching diagram to group attributes of certain kinds of leaves, such as oak, pine, and chestnut. For extra practice, they can collect leaves and...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Kingdom Animalia: Classifying Animals
Six lessons, extension activities, and an assessment make up a series of lessons curated to reinforce the concept of classifying animals. Each informative and interactive lesson attributes to the knowledge of the seven levels of...
Curated OER
Classification and Attributes
Learners classify objects based on their attributes. They explain how archaeologists use classification to help answer research questions.
Curated OER
Animal Coverings
Students read a book. In this animal characteristics instructional activity, students read the book Animal Coverings, answer comprehension questions, and complete a chart where they match animals with their coverings.
Curated OER
What is a bird?
Learners sort birds by their physical characteristics. In this bird characteristics lesson, students review bird characteristics and create beaks. Learners discuss birds as pets.
Curated OER
Decidedly Different
Fifth graders inquire as to why scientists use observable characteristics, how they sort the characteristics, and why they do so. They write journal entries to be used throughout this unit.
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves!
Students collect, measure and classify leaves. In this inquiry-based sorting and classifying lesson, students look at various types of leaves they have collected and measure them using a standard unit of measurement. Next, they relate...
Curated OER
Look at Those Leaves!
Students observe leaves in hands-on ways. As they observe attributes, they will group the leaves according to these attributes and consider any patterns they see emerge. In addition, they will communicate what they have learned about...
Curated OER
Big Bones, Little Bones
Students investigate archeology. In this archeology instructional activity, students research the process of excavation. Students participate in a mock-excavation and sort objects by physical properties.
Curated OER
Classifying Living Things
Students identify how to classify living things. They classify various concepts including family members, kinds of clothing, numbers, shapes, and vocabulary words. They discuss how to classify various concepts and classify pictures of...