Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Trees: Using a Dichotomous Key to Identify Local Tree Types

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using their own classification methods students will identify the types of trees found around their school and neighborhoods. Students will then present their classification methods to the class. Later students will use dichotomous tree...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Creation of Dichotomous Keys From a Bio Blitz

For Teachers 6th - 8th
An outdoor lab where students investigate the environment and decide a method of survey to identify trees in their area. To finish the exercise they will create a dichotomous key of the ten they identified.
Interactive
Oregon State University

Oregon State University: Dichotomous Key

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent starting point. Get a good description of what the dichotomous key for tree identification is and then directions for using it to identify trees.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Introduction to Dichotomous Keys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This lesson serves as an introduction to the classification of plants and animals or trees. Students will investigate how to classify objects based on their similarities and differences. They will use technical writing to explain their...
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: A Student Produced Field Guide to Neighborhood Trees

For Students 9th - 10th
During this project, students will be working cooperatively to create a field guide of trees in the neighborhood near the school. Students will make observations of trees near the school. They will then learn about tree anatomy and...
Interactive
Environmental Education for Kids

Eek!: Dichotomous Tree Key

For Students 9th - 10th
Identify a tree using this interactive identification tool.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Plant Life in Our Nature Center

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this Nature Center activity, students will apply knowledge from our classifying living things unit. They will compare what they already know about leaves to actual leaf samples. After collecting 5 leaves and keeping them in a journal,...
Activity
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Plants

For Students 3rd - 6th
Enchanted Learning provides information an illustrated plant dictionary as well as printouts, flower anatomy, and plant-related crafts.