The 5Es of Biological Classification

When teaching a new concept, the best way to ensure that all kids are learning is to engage all learning styles. In science, incorporating hands-on activities is often straightforward, but with some concepts, it can be more difficult. One such topic is classification, which is often dryly presented by having learners memorize the levels of classification, looking at a few examples from each kingdom, and perhaps examining the taxonomy of a couple different species. However, by adding in a few easy and fun activities, students will enjoy the content and remember the concepts for years to come. Lets look at some ideas through the 5E model of inquiry.

1. Engage

Begin the unit by classifying your kids. Have everyone stand up, then tell them that if they have two or more brothers, to go to one side of the room, while those with one or no brothers go to the other side of the room. For the kids with fewer than two brothers, split the group into those with one brother and those with none; for the other group, sort them into those with two brothers and those with more. Next, go to the kids with one brother; separate them by older brother versus younger brother. For those with no brothers, divide them by number of sisters using the same methods. Continue sorting groups until there are several individual “species.” Explain that this is how scientists classify organisms; they look at similarities, then keep finding differences until they have a unique species. This quick activity will help the kinesthetic learners get a grasp on the basics of classification, while giving all kids the chance to get some wiggles out. 

2. Explore

Give kids an opportunity to classify some animals with a great lesson that has them working in cooperative groups to sort pictures into several different categories, allowing your interpersonal learners the opportunity to talk their way through classification. After the group has finished, each child writes a scaffolded paragraph about one or more of the animals. The lesson plan includes extensions for groups or individuals to research one of the animals further, giving the intrapersonal learners a chance to work by themselves and the natural learners the ability to understand more about our fellow animals.

3. Explain

Follow up the card sort with some simple notes on the levels of classification, including a definition developed by the kids and a list of the different levels. Put the levels in an upside-down triangle to show your visual learners that the higher levels are larger (containing more organisms). After the notes, play the Classification Rap video, which will allow musical learners a chance to memorize the levels. Next, have partners work together to develop a mnemonic for the levels by creating an acrostic with the first letters of each level (KPCOFGS), such as Keep Putting Candy Out For Good Students or Kangaroo Pouches Can Often Form Great Satchels. Using words creatively will hook the linguistic learners. Once complete, kids should make a poster with the acrostic prominently featured along with a drawing that represents their sentence.

4. Elaborate

Look at each of the kingdoms by performing hands-on labs. Use microscopes to look at microorganisms, swab some surfaces to grow bacteria in petri dishes, then go outside to find plants, fungi, and animals, reaching the visual, kinesthetic, and natural learners once again. Each child can record their observations and make drawings in a science notebook. Focusing on living things in your immediate environment will bring the learning home for all kids, and hopefully encourage them (perhaps with a homework assignment) to look for organisms of different kingdoms in their own backyards. To more closely investigate fungi, create spore prints, incorporating art, reproduction by spores, and mushroom anatomy. Next, select a local ecosystem, such as a kelp forest, pond, desert, or river. Collaborative groups should work together to research the ecosystem, determining which prevalent bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, and protists are commonly found therein; assign one kingdom to each group (depending on the size of the group, you may wish to have a few groups research another local ecosystem). The project should describe the organisms and their roles in the ecosystem, as well as investigate what might happen without any one of those organisms.

5. Evaluate

Each group will create a presentation based on their findings, which they will share with the class. Develop a rubric to ensure that every group includes the necessary components, including proper spelling and grammar, accurate information, higher levels of thinking, and excellent visuals. In addition, each group could create a visual to include in a class display of the ecosystem, turning your room into a natural oasis.

In just a week and a half, you will ensure that every learning style has been addressed multiple times, and that all of your kids have learned about classification in a way that they will remember for a lifetime. How do you include all learning styles in your lessons? Share your answers with the community.