Curated OER
What Is a Species?
Students are able to recognize that scientists use different definitions of species. They are able to assess the strengths and limitations of species definitions depending on their context. Students are able to use definitions of...
Curated OER
Food Classification
Middle schoolers are introduced to classification and some of the difficulties surrounding classification and how classification systems need to be able to adapt and how they may need to be changed when new information is discovered. ...
Biology Junction
Classification of Life
Did you know scientists identify more than 13 billion species of organisms, and they discover more almost every day? An interesting presentation demonstrates how scientists keep track of so many species. It also shows how they...
Curated OER
Become an Expert
Students 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...
Curated OER
Everything in Its Place: Science Classification
Students investigate the system of classification for living things through the sixteen lessons of this unit. The five kingdoms of monerans, protists, fungi, plants, and animals form the basis of several experiments as the similarities...
Curated OER
Classification: Dichotomous Key
Students investigate the classification process and nomenclatures used for classifying organisms. They study dichotomous keys to identify organisms with 90% accuracy. Students organize information regarding the relatedness of species.
Virginia Department of Education
Classification of Organisms
Searching for the perfect indoor/outdoor activity that allows class members the opportunity to learn about organism classification? Here, pupils research organisms and categorize them according to domain and kingdom over the course of...
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
Science: Her-bariums Galore!
Students collect and identify plant species and construct herbariums both at school and at home. By gathering data from both locales, they draw conclusions and make predictions about plant diversity. Upon completion of the exercises,...
Curated OER
Who Lives Here?
Students identify various aquatic wildlife species. In this biology lesson students collect clues about animals that live in wetland habitats. Students rotate through several stations displaying particular animal species to collect their...
Curated OER
Paper Pets
In this paper pets genetics activity, students are given 4 genetic traits found in a particular species (paper pet). Students are given the genotypes of the parents of the paper pets and they perform genetic crosses using punnet squares...
Curated OER
Levels of Classification
Young scholars use diagrams to compare structural differences that taxonomists use to classify animals. For this classification lesson plan, students compare structures of different species from given diagrams. In one diagram they...
Curated OER
Animal Kingdom Characteristics using Microsoft Access
Students create a computer database to discover relationships present in the Animal Kingdom. For this classification lesson, students enter data into a Microsoft Access database. They answer questions on a worksheet and create a visual...
Curated OER
Sharks Taxonomy
Learners, in groups, establish a classification system for the world of your classroom. They draw a chart to explain their categories and system to the rest of the class.
Curated OER
Classification Practice-Animals
Students use pictures of animals to make a classification system. In this classification lesson plan, students are given pictures of different animals. They create a classification system for the animals and identify what they have in...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Endangered Species: What Are They And How Can We Help Them?
Students research endangered species online and prepare a presentation identifying species, and the reasons why species are becoming endangered,
Curated OER
What Class Are You In?
Classifying animals has never been this much fun! Pupils discuss the animal groups, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and also identify their characteristics. Then, they take pictures of animals and classify them in a group...
Curated OER
Ocean Creature Classification
Students develop their own system for classifying a group of objects or organisms using observed similarities and differences. They investigate the process of scientific classification, and explain how marine organisms are classified by...
Curated OER
In a Class of Their Own
Students explore taxonomy and how birds are classified in this scientific system. They use this knowledge to create entries for a field guide to birds that can be used to identify different species.
Curated OER
Biology Jeopardy
Play Jeopardy as you review what might possibly be an entire year's high school biology course! The vast variety of questions requires that you read through the slides to make sure that they all relate to your curriculum. You could make...
University of Wisconsin
Bimodel Botany Bouquet
Gardeners are given an individual plant specimen from a bouquet of local rain garden plants. They group up by their plant type and then make observations together, name the plant, and introduce it to the rest of the class. You then share...
Curated OER
Kingdom Animalia ~ A Look at the Five Major Classes
Biological taxonomy masters examine the five main classes under phylum chordata. Pupils compare and contrast the identifying characteristics of the various organisms. They explain why taxonomy is important in classifying organisms. You...
Curated OER
Reebops a Model "Organism" for Teaching Genetics Concepts
Reebops are cute, marshmallow-based creatures that can be used to teach inheritance. Beginning biologists draw strips of paper that represent chromosomes from two envelopes, one for the father, and one for the mother. Each parent...
Curated OER
From Curiosity Cabinet to Museum Collection
Students study binomial nomenclature and museum-based research. They create a curiosity box, label the objects in their curiosity box , develop a classification scheme for the objects, and create a database of all objects collected by...