Curated OER
Classifying Conundrum
Fourth graders identify plant characteristics from different environments and communicate that information in different ways. They use a simple scheme to classify Utah plants and animals and make observations and record them in a...
Curated OER
"Finding Your Sweet Tooth"--An Introduction to the Dichotomous Key
Sixth graders classify candy according to observable characteristics. They use a dichotomous key to identify their bag of "treats." Thus, describe how dichotomous keys help to the identifying of organisms. Design a self-generated...
Curated OER
Bivalve or Univalve (Clam or Snail)?
Fourth graders explore the meaning of the prefixes "bi" and "uni." In groups, 4th graders observe pictures of shells and handle real shells. Students create a chart to classify each shell as a bivalve or univalve. They identify the...
Curated OER
Classification And Identification
Students explore diagrammatic and taxonomic keys and their application in the marine sciences. They sort and classify objects and organisms based on visual attributes.
Curated OER
Insects!
Students explore the diet of insects. In this "insects" biology lesson, students take a nature walk and collect various natural materials they think may be eaten by insects. Students sort and classify these materials into three diet...
Curated OER
Electromagnetic Energy and Its Spectrum
Your older elementary students investigate electromagnetic energy and the electromagnetic spectrum. They will observe 7 items represented in the electromagnetic spectrum and make a poster of all the things the items have in common. After...
American Statistical Association
A Sweet Task
Candy is always an effective motivator! A fun math activity uses M&M's and Skittles to explore two-way frequency tables and conditional probability. The candy can serve a dual purpose as manipulatives and experimental data.
Shodor Education Foundation
Sets and the Venn Diagram (Beginner)
Venn diagrams are helpful in understanding the idea of a set and using attributes to sort items. This basic plan is an introduction with an added bonus of an applet that can be used to demonstrate the activity. If a classroom of...
Curated OER
Classification
Middle schoolers investigate how to classify items based on similar characteristics. They study the scientific system of classification.
Curated OER
Energy Consumption
Students investigate the power consumption of household objects by using a classification sheet. In this energy conservation lesson, students read through a list of household items and tools and organize them by predicting which...
Curated OER
Sink It
Introduce your class to the concept of sinking and floating. In groups, they classify objects after making predictions about which materials will sink or float. They record their results and create graphs and charts to share with the class.
Curated OER
Sink/Float Discovery bottle
Investigate which items float and which ones sink using this resource. Learners participate in an activity in which they investigate this phenomena. Then they describe the experimental process, and learn how to display their results.
Curated OER
Classic Trash
Students investigate how trash is classified and the options to deal with it. In this trash and recycling lesson, students perform an activity to classify trash into organic, renewable/ recyclable, now renewable/recyclable and...
Curated OER
Classification of Matter
Students investigate common household items and classify them into types of matter. In this matter activity, students group given items into categories based on their characteristics. They also complete a concept map about matter and...
Curated OER
Classification and Identification
Learners, after exploring and analyzing diagrammatic and taxonomic keys and their association to marine sciences, identify and classify objects and organisms based on visual attributes/characteristics. They research and create their own...
Curated OER
States of Matter
Fourth graders define the term matter. They compare properties of solids, liquids, and gases. They describe how matter changes from one state to another. They classify objects as either solid, liquid, or gas.
Curated OER
Composting and Mulching
Second graders define composting and recognize what can be composted. In this composting and mulching lesson, 2nd graders classify objects or pictures as good or bad for composting. Students write a story about life in the compost...
Curated OER
Getting Down to Basics (and Acidics)
Seventh graders investigate acids and bases. For this acids and bases lesson, 7th graders use household items such as coffee, lemons and soap to define acids and bases. They observe a demonstration to show how indicators determine if a...
Curated OER
Animal Classifications
Third graders work in small groups to investigate how to sort a variety of items into groups and subgroups. They work on a class chart based on the activity which show how the items are classified based on commonalities. Upon completion...
Curated OER
Classification is Sweet
Students classify, weight and organize items during this lesson. This lesson works great as or with an introduction of the Periodic Table of Elements.
Curated OER
Creepy Critters
Middle schoolers classify imaginary newly discovered organisms. In this classification lesson, students are given cards showing imaginary organisms that have been recently discovered. They must classify the organisms based on their...
Curated OER
Where Do We Get the Money We Spend?
Students discuss the sources of income for people in their community. They examine why different jobs are paid different wages. They also classify productive resources in the economy.
Curated OER
What It Is, What It Isn't
Third graders classify and sort different types of beans to be introduced to the classification system in science. As a class, they identify the characteristics of living and non-living organisms and make a chart in their journal to ...
Curated OER
Classification of Animals
Third graders practice classiyfying items and identify three major characteristics scientists use to classify animals. They describe the differences between ectothermic and endothermic animals.