Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Classification of Animals: "Connect Your Animal Show" [Pdf]

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders learn about animal classification by reviewing the taxonomy system, then looking at pictures of animals as if they were scientists, acting out an animal's characteristics, then classifying their animal.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Classification Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
A great overview of the science of classification. Topics addressed include summaries of the five kingdoms, the seven taxa, the definition of a species and the classification of the panda.
Lesson Plan
Other

It's All About What's Inside. Classification and the Tree of Life [Pdf]

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this science lesson, young scholars look at how animals have traditionally been classified in a tree of life diagram by examining the characteristics of plastic eggs. They then analyze the genetic code assigned for each egg and look...
Website
Tree of Life Project

The Tree of Life Web Project

For Students 9th - 10th
The Tree of Life is a multi-authored, Internet distributed project containing information about phylogeny and biodiversity. The Tree of Life can be used to locate information about a particular group of organisms through their taxonomy.
Handout
Tree of Life Project

The Tree of Life Web Project: Animals

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive site that contains much information about the various animal phyla. Each phyla gives photos, common examples, scientific names and references. Collection of 1630 websites about bio-diversity.
Website
Other

Illinois Wesleyan University: Tardigrade Species Distribution Project

For Students 9th - 10th
This was a research project on tardigrades that took place some time ago. The site contains information about the project and about tardigrades, including their taxonomy and a glossary. As this is an older site, the links to the...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Animals: Kingdoms of Life

For Students 2nd - 7th
A playful interactive introducing biology's five animal kingdoms. Watch the video, take a quiz, and review vocabulary.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Arthropod

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers information on arthropods, the largest phylum of animals. Includes scientific classification chart and image.
Lesson Plan
Other

Illinois Wesleyan Univ.: Tardigrade Species Distribution Project: Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan was for classes that participated in a research project on tardigrades that took place in 1999. Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are fascinating, tiny creatures that can survive under the most extreme conditions....
Handout
Other

Secondary Science Program: The Six Kingdoms

For Students 4th - 9th
A short overview of the six kingdoms in our scientific classification system: Plants, Animals, Protists, Fungi, Archaebacteria, and Eubacteria.
Activity
BBC

Bbc: Nature Wildfacts: Eastern Grey Kangaroo

For Students 9th - 10th
BBC Wildfacts profiles the eastern kangaroo of Australia with photographs and a fact sheet.
Handout
San Diego Zoo Global

San Diego Zoo: Koalas

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents detailed information about the koala, including several photos and a video clip. [0:12]
Website
Colorado State University

Colorado State University Libraries: Garst [Wildlife] Photographic Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
Digitized collection, searchable by name, endangered species status, habitat, or continent, of over thirteen hundred wildlife photographs taken throughout the world during the filming of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom television series....
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Animal Classification

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will classify organisms into groups and relate how they determined the groups with how and why scientists use classification. They will also demonstrate how animals are sorted into groups...
Handout
Sea World Parks & Entertainment

Sea World: Clydesdales

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines the characteristics of horses and the Clydesdale breed, including classification, history, behaviors, and diet. Information at a level of upper intermediate elementary but easily adaptable for all teachers.
Interactive
BBC

Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: The Living World

For Students 3rd - 6th
This landing page includes learning modules on the following topics of: animals, plants, microorganisms, life cycles and reproductions, food chains, habits, humans and the environment, adaptation, inheritance, and evolution.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Reptile Recovery Center

For Students 9th - 10th
This website presents fact sheets about numerous reptiles. Choose from a pull-down list between snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles. The fact sheets contain information such as taxonomy, distribution and habitat, eating habits,...
Lesson Plan
California Institute of Technology

Infrared Zoo Lesson 1: A Trip to the Infrared Zoo

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will use infrared images to classify different animals. Students will learn more about infrared imaging and the information it can reveal. This activity is guaranteed to activate great class discussion.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Insects

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers detailed information on insects, invertebrate animals of the class Insecta.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Cnidaria

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers great information on Cnidarians, a phylum of animals including coral, sea anemones, jellyfish, sea pens, sea wasps, and more.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Sponge

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers detailed information on sponges, or poriferans, animals of the phylum Porifera.
Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Classifying Living Things

For Students 4th - 7th
Learn how all living things are classified.
Activity
BBC

Bbc: Nature Wildfacts: Koala

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about koala bears.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Interdependence of Life: How an Ecosystem Responds to Change

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this biology field investigation, students will investigate the site of an environmental disturbance, identify plant and animal life within that specific area, and compare it to an adjoining forested area. Students will map both areas...