Classification

Use Wofram Alpha to classify 

Grouping by similarities

In groups of 3, students will sort images of the species into groups on their group’s copy of the Google Slide presentation. Students are using inductive reasoning by making observations about similarities between species, grouping them accordingly, and inducing what characteristics define each phylum. (sample solution)

Developing your own taxonomic flow chart.

 (from the Sourcebook for Teaching Science)

Taxonomy is the science of classification.  Geologists classify rocks, astronomers classify stars, botanists classify plants, zoologists classify animals, musicians classify music, artists classify art, and even hardware manufacturers classify hardware.  Figure 9.6 is a flowchart that leads to the classification of screws commonly used in construction.  The diamonds represent decisions that must be made in order to identify a screw. After studying figure 9.6, develop your own taxonomic flow chart for items of your choosing. You may classify flowers, rocks, fabrics, leaves, wood, assorted junk, or a collection of hardware (nails, screws, washers, bolts, hinges, clasps, etc.).  Alternatively, you may classify photographs (cut from magazines or printed from the Internet) of cars, jewelry, foods, or other subjects of your choosing.  You may develop a taxonomic chart on a poster board or electronically using software [sciencesourcebook.com]. Each decision should be a dichotomy (only two choices) as shown in the taxonomy of the wood and metal screws (figure 9.6).

Paper version - Print out the attached dichotomous key template and construct your own taxonomic key with the material provide.  Write your decision questions on the key and place the items on the appropriate branches.  Take a photo of your key and submit it online.

Online Version - Develop a dichotomous key of fasteners using this template.