Introduce the logic behind a dichotomous key or administer a group performance assessment with a fun and challenging classification lesson. With explicit instructions for the teacher and for collaborative groups, as well as engaging visual manipulatives, your kids will enjoy looking at the pictures of the animals they are sorting, as well as using the graphic dichotomous key. They wrap up the lesson by writing a paragraph about one of the animals that was classified. Note: Time will vary depending on the age/ability level of learners.

Concepts

animal classification, taxonomy, physical properties

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Additional Tags

taxonomy, dichotmous key, classifying animals, card sort, physical characteristics, science

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Pros

• Reaches many learning styles
• Clear and easy-to-follow instructions
• Fantastic visuals

Cons

• Some of the pictures are difficult to decipher when printed in black and white; consider printing group sets in color and laminating them for reuse

Common Core

RST.6-8.3