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Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Determining Stream Health by the Diversity and Types of Benthic Organisms

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local streams....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using a Dichotomous Key for Invertebrate Phyla

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use a key to determine the phyla of invertebrates. They are broken into groups and each group gets a stack of pictures and uses the key to determine which phyla the animal belongs to. There are also individual...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bean Sort

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define and discuss dichotomous keys. They create a dichotomous key to identify a bag of mixed beans, and assign their group of beans a genus and species name.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrate Classification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of 'pill bugs'

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define words. They create a dichotomous key. After carefully examining pill bugs, 5th graders record observations. They compare and contrast habitats of pillbugs.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

All About Arthropods

For Students 4th - 6th
Use a dichotomous key to classify these squirmy bugs. A paragraph provides fifth graders with some background knowledge on the animal kingdom, and explains how to use a branching key for classification. They then determine which bugs...
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Lesson Plan
ARKive

Species Discovery

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
How many of your students know that even today new species are being found all over the globe? Introduce them to the amazing diversity our planet houses with a creative activity about animal variation and classification. They'll use a...
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Lesson Plan
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Chicago Botanic Garden

Impacts of Climate on Forest Succession

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Part two in a series of four explores the effects of climate on succession or the changing of plant species in a forest. Groups review how to identify trees and then spend a day in the field collecting extensive data on trees to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in the Biosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Environmental explorers examine the campus and take note of living organisms. Introduce them to the biosphere and the questions of the day: How much water can be found in the biosphere? A slide show helps you along, and even contains a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classify Machines that Fly!

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore flight and the dichotomous key. In this flight lesson, 8th graders gain understanding of the dichotomous key and create one of their own. Students then use their dichotomous key to classify types of aircraft.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Dichotomous Key of Idaho Reptiles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners use the reptile section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. They make a dichotomous key and decide on what defining characteristics they can use to distinguish between species. They hone their observation skills and recognize...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fun with Fictitious Animals

For Students 6th - 12th
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...
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Unit Plan
Purdue University

Trees of the Midwest

For Teachers K - 5th Standards
All trees are not created equal. A set of three wildlife conservation lessons has learners examine the characteristics of individual trees. They look at the life cycle of the tree using a story and reference a field guide to identify...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploration of "Pillbugs"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define vocabulary terms, identify the characteristics of a pillbug, and create a dichotomous key. Then they examine the pillbugs and make observations and record these observations. Finally, 5th graders observe specific...
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Lesson Plan
ARKive

Primate Evolution- Family Ties

For Teachers 7th - 12th
If humans evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Using captivating pictures and videos of our primate cousins, young biologists examine evidence to dispel one of the most common misconceptions about human evolution. Depending on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Tree-mendous Project

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use their observation and measurement skills to identify trees. Using a tree diagram, they label the parts and discuss the functions of the tree. They practice using a dichotomous key to identify trees as well.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Dichotomous Key: Minerals

For Students 8th - Higher Ed
For this earth science worksheet, students identify various minerals as described in the fifteen questions. They identify the luster and hardness of a mineral. Then, students identify what color the mineral is and whether it has streaks...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jewel of the Earth

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate several organisms, set sticky traps to collect them, and attempt to identify and classify them using a variety of sources. The origins of the organisms are traced and their adaptive features examined.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Donut Sort

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create dichotomous keys using donuts. In this dichotomous lesson, 3rd graders review what a property is and sort donuts by a specific property. Donuts are kept in plastic baggies for the activity so they can be enjoyed by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to Dichotomous Keys

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars pretend to be shark biologists employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who have been flown into the coastal city of Sao Luis in Brazil because locals have noticed an unidentified shark at...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Keys and Nutrition

For Teachers 3rd
An inventive and engaging lesson on nutrition, food groups, and the food pyramid is here for you. In it, young dieticians learn about the basics of nutrition. They use the book, Frog and Toad are Friends, to help them foster discussion...
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Activity
New South Wales Department of Education

Plant Features

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Backyard Bugs

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Explore the concept of scientific classification and the similarities and differences between plant and animal species. Your class will participate in hands-on activities by investigating dichotomous keys and classifying their shoes. To...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquatic Ecosystem Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners visit a local stream, pond, creek, or river and collect macroinvertebrates. They sort macroinvertebrates and identify each species using a dichotomous key. Students decide on trophic levels and construct a possible food web for...

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