Students investigate the need for taxonomy and perform a variety of activities that will make taxonomy real to them. They identify plants and animals in a specific area and record the information on a data sheet. They write stories...

Double click that mouse because you just found an amazing instructional activity! This cross-curricular Ornithology instructional activity incorporates literature, writing, reading informational text, data collection, scientific inquiry,...

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...

When biologists installed cameras in Gorongosa National Park, they ended up viewing a lot more than the lions they were trying to help! Young ecologists observe one of Africa's most beautiful savanna regions with interactive trail camera...

Gardeners are given an individual plant specimen from a bouquet of local rain garden plants. They group up by their plant type and then make observations together, name the plant, and introduce it to the rest of the class. You then share...

In this classification worksheet, students complete a word search puzzle by finding 12 words associated with taxonomy and classification.

In this biology worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 39 questions on taxonomy. They identify the different classification systems used in biology.

Explore the concept of scientific classification and the similarities and differences between plant and animal species. Your class will participate in hands-on activities by investigating dichotomous keys and classifying their shoes. To...

Three lessons and five assessments are contained in this material. Various paper shapes are sorted as a simulation of biological classification. Learners gather a list of living things that they are familiar with and design a...

Learners explore the concept of scientific classification systems using a guided Internet research activity. They answer specific questions on the classification of animals by exploring a different Internet link for each question.

Students analyze the complexity of organism classifications based on certain criteria.  In this classifying organisms lesson students study taxonomy and gather information and leaves to do their own experiment on classification. 

Students construct classification systems based on structure of organisms.

Students study binomial nomenclature and museum-based research. They create a curiosity box, label the objects in their curiosity box , develop a classification scheme for the objects, and create a database of all objects collected by...

A set of note-taking slides introduces your biologists to the characteristics and the four subphyla of arthropods. Nothing flashy is included, but it is a tidy and straightforward presentation that you can use when your class is...

Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...

Seems like a fairly simple question—until you begin asking your class! Get pupils acquainted with the characteristics of life through pairs classification, discussion, and scientific reading. The lesson plan, part of the K20 series, also...

Discover what a pest is and how to identify one with a lesson that looks closely at our outside world and taxonomy. Scholars investigate insects and plants to practice their identification skills, take a survey, and explore the...

Students are introduced to classification and some of the difficulties surrounding classification and how classification systems need to be able to adapt and how they may need to be changed when new information is discovered. They...

Life science learners discuss the characteristics of five kingdoms of life: animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria in this video. Viewers find out from the dialogue that scientists group organisms according to similarities. This...

Use a dichotomous key to classify these squirmy bugs. A paragraph provides fifth graders with some background knowledge on the animal kingdom, and explains how to use a branching key for classification. They then determine which bugs...

In this classifying animals worksheet, students use the information in the word bank to complete the T-Chart about mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. Students write 10 answers.

Are viruses living or non-living? According to the presentation, they are both and neither. Clearly, this requires clarification and an in-depth look at viruses, viroids, and prions. Young scientists learn about the history, structure,...

What would the world be like with no insects? Ponder this question using a research-based STEM unit that encourages scholars to investigate insects from both a beneficial and hazardous perspective. They learn about insect behaviors,...

Students create a dichotomous key using potato chips. In this classification instructional activity, students sort potato chips into groups based on observable characteristics. They record their results to create a dichotomous key in...