What is a dichotomous key? When your kids ask, hand them a learning exercise like this one, to explain it. They use the key to identify four different trees, based on the budding twigs they've produced. Tip: Have learners extend this...

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...

Students are introduced to the five kingdoms and discover why there is a need for a classification system. Using the internet, they examine how scientific names are created and practice putting animals into their correct classification....

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...

Sixth graders discover an appreciation for the benefits of trees. In this tree activity, 6th graders explore the benefits of trees by playing a word classification game. Students study the variety of uses for trees.

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...

Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...

Students explore various tree species. In this tree species lesson, students collect leaves on nature walks and use Internet sources to identify the trees that the leaves belong to. Students graph their data as well.

Students discover how to identify trees.  In this research instructional activity students use dendrology to decipher what a trees classification is and explore each trees traits. 

As a review or note taking guide, this resource wraps up a unit on the tree of life. Biology bigwigs define phylogeny and answer questions about the subsequent classification of organisms. The worksheet takes a straightforward and...

Students examine how the method of classification is used. In this sorting lesson plan students take a pre-test, classify organisms and complete a crossword puzzle.

Middle schoolers draw comparisons between organisms. They classify organisms. Students are introduced to dichotomous keys and how to create and use a dichotomous key to identify a variety of objects. They begin by defining...

Students create a collage. In this animal classification lesson, students discuss why and how scientists classify animals. Students view pictures of different animals and decide which class each animal belongs to. Students compare...

Students observe the two major developmental pathways (protostome and deuterostome). They analyze data regarding differences in nucleotide sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree. They observe the similar evolutionary history shared...

Students classify trees. In this tree-mendous lesson, students categorize a variety of trees to assist them in playing a Jeopardy like game.  Students identify new vocabulary terms and classify the uses and benefits of trees for...

Students read The Apple Pie Tree and discuss the story and talk about what was living in the tree.  In this life comprehension lesson, students write the main idea of the book in a few sentences. 

Students adopt a tree, take a bark rubbing from that tree, and conduct research about that type of tree. They write an original piece about their tree using three facts and in a genre of their choice.

Tenth graders differentiate angiosperms and gymnosperms. In this biology lesson, 10th graders construct a musical phylogenetic tree from information they gathered on resource websites. They present their project in class.

Students draw a picture of their favorite tree from memory, and then add detail as they learn more about leaf characteristics of Virginia trees. They will use their writing skills to nominate one or more of their favorite trees to the...

Students complete a short quiz reviewing classification. In groups, they create their own family trees and discuss who is related to whom and are introduced to phylogenies in genetics. To end the lesson, they take notes on Taxonomy and...

In this singular nouns worksheet, students classify words as foods, animals, or occupations and write a/an before the nouns. Students list eleven words.

A branching key is a great way to classify different types of animals and plants! Fifth graders answer several yes/no answers about three different plants. They then create their own key to differentiate between an iris, a rose, and a...

Join a father and his son as they explore an isolated location off the coast of Australia in the children's book Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker. Engage young learners in reading this fun story with this series of...

Students gain an understanding of the science of taxonomy and how it is used in classifications. They use an identification key and construct a key of their own. They identify tagged trees on the school property with their lab group...