Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.

Students create a dichotomous key to different varieties of potato chips. In small groups, they observe and record characteristics of the potato chips to use in the key. They switch keys with another group to see if they can identify an...

Sixth graders label diagrams of the 6 different classes of mollusks and explain the meaning of the labeled terms. They identify 8 common New Haven shells. They organize their own shell collection during this series of lessons.