AAAS
Identification and Classification of Grassland Plants
Take learning outside and start classifying grasslands. Young ecologists observe grassland plants in order to classify them into the appropriate species by family. They note their characteristics and where they grow. A true field...
Captain Planet Foundation
Which Plant Is Which?
Learn about dichotomous keys, plant identification, and how to care for the planet with a lesson that includes several hands-on and innovative activities. Kids go on a plant scavenger hunt and classify the plants that they find...
Curated OER
Keys To Trees: Dichotomous Tree Identification
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.
Curated OER
Endangered Species Problem
Young scholars list the morphological characters used to identify the cacti in the field, and describe the associated problems in using these characters for identification. They draw the geographical ranges of the varieties of species...
American Museum of Natural History
Identification Adventure
Put all the pieces together. After a skeleton is put together, pupils play the scientist to determine the type of animal they have by using a classification tree to narrow down the identity. After each decision, they gain advice from an...
Curated OER
Freshwater Fish Anatomy & Taxonomy
Tenth graders use a classification key to identify organisms. In this classification lesson students identify freshwater species of fish and document their observations.
Curated OER
Science: Her-bariums Galore!
Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...
Curated OER
Species Identification Using Dichotomous Keys
To help your students unlock the wonderful world of living things, teach them to use a dichotomous key.
Curated OER
Identification of Positive Streptococci
After being introduced to the genus Straptococcus, biology buffs set up agar plates, esculin slants, and salt broth tubes with different species to test. The level of laboratory skills required to perform this activity makes it most...
Curated OER
Species and Specimens: Exploring Local Biodiversity
Students practice skills essential to all scientific investigation: carefully observing and collecting data. They become field biologists in a series of hands-on activities to collect and identify specimens, and survey and calculate the...
Curated OER
Classification Schemes
Junior biologists journey through the hiearchy of living things with these activites. Using a dichotomous key, they identify common algae, plants, and fish. They design their own key for a mixture of seeds and a collection of...
Curated OER
Plant Biology
Young biologists discuss the reasons behind the current use of the plant identification system. They get into groups and identify the characteristics of each species of plant which is described. The keys needed for groups to make...
Nuffield Foundation
Monitoring Water Pollution with Invertebrate Indicator Species
Healthy invertebrates mean healthy ponds. An outdoor activity has scholars collect samples of invertebrates from local lakes or ponds. They identify and count different species and use the information to estimate the level of pollution...
NOAA
What Little Herc Saw
See the underwater world through a different pair of eyes! Middle school marine biologists identify deep-sea organisms by examining images taken by an ROV from the Okeanos Explorer. After determining what creatures lie beneath the...
Curated OER
Reptile Identification Exercise
Students are shown how to use the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They use a dichotomous key to identify species of Idaho reptiles. Students describe some basic life characteristics of reptiles. They use th visual key to identify the species...
Curated OER
Tree Identification
Students list four ways to identify trees. In this tree identification instructional activity, students use tree identification techniques such as leafs, bark, wood grain, soil type, and climate to create tables and graphs.
Curated OER
Who Am I? (Plant Identification)
In this science worksheet, students study 16 detailed color pictures of plant species. Students identify each plant. There is no space to write the name of the plant and it is assumed this is done orally. Answers are provided upside down...
Curated OER
Who Am I? Fish Identification
In this science worksheet, learners examine 16 detailed pictures of different species of fish. Students identify each fish. There is no room to write the name under the picture. It is assumed this is an oral activity, although there are...
Curated OER
Species Diversity in Ecosystems with Different Techniques of Land Management
Learners visit numerous places to help in their understanding of Ecology. In this biology lesson plan, students will learn about characteristics and how to identify numerous plants and animals. This lesson allows for many field trip...
Curated OER
Dendrology
Learners work as a class-size unit as well as in small groups to become proficient in observing tree characteristics to facilitate species identification. They identify most common tree species by observing leaf, flower, fruit and bark...
Curated OER
Ball Identification Exercise
Fourth graders participate in a ball identification exercise to help them identify birds. As a class, their teacher throws them a variety of different sized and colored balls for them to describe. Using these factors, they work together...
American Physiological Society
Hoo Eats Who and What is What in Your Own Backyard?
Bird is the word! Teach life science scholars the importance of our feathered friends and the roles they play in our ecosystem. Using the plan, learners investigate the birds in their areas, determine the biotic and abiotic factors that...
Curated OER
Bird Banners
Students, after researching the internet for information about native bird species, create an informational banner. They follow all the directions from their copy of "Bird Banner Guidelines" and complete this task in groups of four or five.
Curated OER
Butterfly Identification Exercise
Learners examine the various species of butterflies found in Idaho. Using a visual key, they compare and contrast different butterflies with their own sample. In groups, they identify the common and latin name along with its diet and...