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Classification of Organisms

Students will create their own hierarchical taxonomic structure used to classify organisms. They will create their own mnemonic device to help remember the order of the structure. Students will design a model to classify organisms based on the current hierarchical taxonomic structure. 

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Lesson Created By: MattieShuler

Essential Question

How can you develop and use models to classify organisms based on the current hierarchical taxonomic structure (including the kingdoms of protists, plants, fungi, and animals)?

Grade(s):

  • 6

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Internet

Digital Device for students (PC, Laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or iPad, etc.)

Cloud File Storage (Google Drive, iCloud, One Drive, or Dropbox, etc.)

Digital Productivity Software (Google Suite, Microsoft Office, etc.)

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

If digital services are not available, then the following can be used in their place:

Science Journal

Paper

Pens

Pencils

Large Chart Paper

Lesson Progression

  1. Bellringer - Students will brainstorm ideas as to how you might classify animals.  They will then think-pair-share with a partner and come up with how students might classify animals in their journal or their digital device. 
  2. The teacher will review and go over the essential question and standard.
  3. The teacher will introduce the vocabulary (see list in resources) to the class by using the Marzano method of teaching vocabulary words (Teaching Basic and Advanced Vocabulary: A Framework for Direct Instruction). The teacher introduces the word by using the student's background knowledge, students write the vocabulary words and definitions in their journal or digital device using their own definitions, students draw a picture of each word in their journal (the teacher might want to skip the vocabulary terms dealing with reproduction for this part), and students pair-share the vocabulary words with a partner.
  4. Students will watch this video: “Naming Nature” - https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/b1932283-0de2-45eb-a6a2-fdfbb884cb0b/naming-nature/
  5. Students will complete a 3-2-1 video activity. The students will write in their journal or digital device three facts from the video, two things they did not know, and one thing they want to know more. The students will share their answers with a partner.
  6. Students will create their own mnemonic method of remembering the order of the classification system in their journal or digital device. They will share their responses with the class. An extension activity could be to illustrate the mnemonic method for remembering the order.
  7. Culminating Activity - students will research 5 different organisms (one for each kingdom) and design a model for each organisms’ hierarchical taxonomic structure using their PC device (Powerpoint or Google Slides could be used to create this model).  As another part of the culminating activity, students will pick one of the organisms and find another organism that shares most of the same levels of the system. The student will compare and contrast the difference between the two organisms.
  8. The teacher will use the attached rubric to grade the models created by the students.
  9. The teacher will make sure the students can answer the essential question by having them answer it in their journal or digital device.

Teacher Notes

If you are using a cloud file storage system (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or iCloud), I would recommend having the students create a digital folder for this lesson to save their notes and student work. It will help with the organization. 

Classification of Organisms Vocabulary List

Key terms and definitions of relevant vocabulary for this lesson.

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Naming Nature

Classification helps scientists tell species apart. This educational video explains modern biological classification categories from the most general (domain) to the most specific (species).

View Resource

Support Guide 3.0 for Sixth Grade South Carolina Academic Standards and Performance Indicators for Science

Support Document for Sixth Grade South Carolina Academic Standards and Performance Indicators for Science

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