Curated OER
Classify the Microbes
Students classify microorganisms into categories based on their characteristics. Pupils use a taxonomic key to identify organisms. They classify certain bacteria, protists, and viruses using a classification or taxonmic key.
Curated OER
The Animals Kingdom
Students are introduced to the classification system of animals. In groups, they set up an aquarium in which they must maintain throughout the year. They also observe earthworms and how they react to various stimuli and research the...
Curated OER
Taxonomy - The Science of Naming Organisms
Carolus Linnaeus designed the binomial nomenclature system of naming organisms that is still in use more than 200 years later. By viewing this PowerPoint, upcoming biologists learn how to use it. They are also introduced to the hierarchy...
Curated OER
Creative Classroom Creatures
Pupils are introduced to the five kingdoms and discover why there is a need for a classification system. Using the internet, they examine how scientific names are created and practice putting animals into their correct classification....
NOAA
Plankton
Dive into the world of plankton. The 17th installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program introduces different types of plankton. Young scientists then use what they have learned to classify...
Curated OER
Classification and Identification
Students, 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
In a Class of Their Own
Young scholars 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
Ocean Creature Classification
Learners 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
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
What is Classification?
In this classification worksheet, learners describe the difference between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Then they define taxonomy and explain what was wrong with Aristotle's method of classification. Students also describe their...
Curated OER
Taxonomy and the World of Microorganisms and Viruses
In this taxonomy learning exercise, students understand how organisms are classified using Linnaeus' system. Students classify organisms as either plant or animal. This learning exercise has 24 fill in the blank and 6 matching questions.
Curated OER
Fun with Fictitious Animals
How can one differentiate between a dweezlebub and nessie? Use this fictitious creature dichotomous key to find out! Biologists of all ages will enjoy this creative way to learn about classification, including a chance to draw the...
Curated OER
Identifying an Earthworm
Students navigate the Internet to learn to identify Earthworms. In this taxonomy lesson, students explore species of earthworms finding their characteristics and using photographs to identify the species. Students research information to...
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
Diversity And Adaptations Of Organisms
Eighth graders study how and why animals are classified into eight groups in the animal kingdom. They work together to identify organisms. They use the key to determine the phylum for the included problems.
Curated OER
Classifying Critters
In this classifying critters worksheet, students read a 1 page article on classifying living organisms and then answer 10 true or false, short answer, multiple choice or fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Taxonomy Project
Students act as a taxonomist and, given a certain situation, classify existing organisms.
Curated OER
Taxonomy
For this biology worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle with 39 questions on taxonomy. They identify the different classification systems used in biology.
Curated OER
Plant Life
Seventh graders examine different categories of plant life and their roles as producers of food and oxygen for other organisms. They study the evolution of plants from simple organisms to very complex ones. They look at the different...
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Biology: Taxonomy I: What's in a Name
Instructional module focusing on biological classification. Discussion includes Carolus Linnaeus' taxonomic classification system for organizing and classifying living things. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Biology: Taxonomy Ii: Ruling Names of Giants
Instructional module focusing on binomial nomenclature. Discussion includes Carolus Linnaeus' taxonomic classification system for naming all species. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the topic.
My Science Site
Middle School Science: Shoe Classification Lab [Pdf]
This concise worksheet site will enable students to learn how to create a classification system and to understand the reasons for classification in science. Requires Adobe Reader.
Other
Southwest Tennessee Community College: Classification of Organisms
College-level instructor's notes describing taxonomy. Explanations and images give a chronological history of the science of classifying organisms.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute: Living Things Families
What do centipedes and crabs have in common? What's so special about a backbone? Check this site out from The Franklin Institute if you are interested in biology and classification.