Curated OER
Invertebrates
Middle schoolers examine invertebrates. In this animal classification instructional activity, students discuss invertebrates and bilateral symmetry. They discuss the importance of horse shoe crabs in medical science.
Curated OER
Flowers and Plants
Students are assigned to bring five flowers. They explore flowers to distinguish different physical features of flowers. They compare and contrast different flowers to determine what features they have in common. Students develop an...
Curated OER
Classifying Plants and Insects
Art and science come together in a instructional activity based on Flower Still Life by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder. Learners classify plants and insects in the painting by color, leaf shape, size, reproduction,...
Curated OER
The Five Kingdoms
An overview of the five kingdoms within the biological classification system is presented in this set of five slides. The first lists the objectives of the slide show, and the second gives general characteristics of plant, animal, and...
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Young scholars classify animals. In this animal classification lesson, students identify characteristics from each of the 5 categories of vertebrates. Young scholars group animals by categories.
Curated OER
Ocean Creature Classification
Young scholars develop a Taxonomic Key for marine invertebrates from pictures they are given after practicing together with common objects, such as shoes. They then compare their key to a provided Ocean Invertebrates Taxonomic Key.
Curated OER
Animals
Students explore biology by participating in a science vocabulary activity. In this animal species lesson, students define a list of animal vocabulary terms as well as practice using them in sentences with the appropriate adjectives and...
Curated OER
Aim-- Use a Carroll Diagram to Sort Animals
In this science worksheet, students cut out pictures of 12 animals and paste them into the correct space on the Carroll diagram. Students classify animals as living in water or land and with or without legs.
Curated OER
Six Kingdom System of Classification
In this classification worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer comparing and contrasting the characteristics of the 6 different kingdoms.
Curated OER
Animals and the Food Webs that Love Them
Students study the animals that Lewis and Clark would have encountered. In this animals lesson students study the food web and how human populations have affected them.
Curated OER
Become an Expert
Young scholars are assigned a separate species of plant or bird to research. Using a worksheet, they are responsible for finding a variety of information on their assigned plant or bird. They also complete a mini-poster and give an oral...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section One: What is Biodiversity?
Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...
Curated OER
Arizona Plant Booklet: An Introduction to Arizona Plants & Cacti
Young scholars explore variety of plants & cacti in their Arizona community by collecting samples and taking photographs. Can be adapted to other areas.
New South Wales Department of Education
Plant Features
Pine needles are actually modified leaves. In the 16th installment of 20, young scientists explore plants. Through an analysis of leaves — shape, veins, and edges — pupils see how to classify plants based on structural features.
Curated OER
Classification
In this classification worksheet, learners use information describing the ways biologists compare living things to complete 4 matching questions.
Curated OER
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
In this activity on the life cycle of the butterfly, students look at 4 pictures representing the life cycle stages, and choose words from a word box that match each picture. Students then number the pictures in the correct order of life...
Curated OER
Animals Galore
Third graders use structural characteristics to sort and classify animals into groups.
Curated OER
Classified Information - Part 1: Shapes
Third graders investigate how and why scientists use classification. They discuss classification strategies using animals, and as a class fill in a flowchart with their responses. Next, in small groups they cut out a variety of shapes...
Curated OER
Plant Classification
Young scholars share with the class how they think plants are classified and are assessed on their prior knowledge. They use a packet to complete throughout the week at their own pace, which includes various activities to familiarize...
Curated OER
Taxonomy
Students work together to identify groups of endangered animals. Using a pamphlet, they group the pictures according to specific criteria and cut the pictures out and color them. They place the animals in the correct habitat and share...
Curated OER
The "Nuts and Bolts" of Taxonomy and Classification
Students develop classification scheme that meets the established rules of the Linnaean system. They write one page essay on classification choices.
Curated OER
A Little Horse Sense
How have horses evolved over time? How do horse skulls reveal this evolution? How have the roles horses play changed over time? What kind of social structure do horse herds have? How should wild horse populations be managed? To find the...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Breathing
Crazy fact: Some animals can survive months without oxygen. An online resource describes some unique ways animals collect oxygen and even live without it for an extended time. Learners read about these special animals and use pop-up...
eSkeletons
Skeleton Scramble Puzzle: Suborder Prosimians
Explore the finer details of primate skulls with these puzzles, incorporating advanced scientific analysis of two suborders- Prosimians and Anthropoidea- and one superfamily- Hominoidea. Learners read about the unique characteristics of...