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Introduction
We know how humans on Earth classify. In fact, you have become Earth classification gurus! The time has come for you to classify. You will classify life on Earth. You have tasks that face you as you understand life on this planet.
The First Task
You will research the five kingdoms. As you research the kingdoms, record characteristics of members of each kingdom.
Kingdom Specialist’s Data Sheet
Use these websites to prepare your report. You will use this information later.
Answers.com - Kingdom Protista
You can also read the the Information About the Kingdoms paper to get more information.
Second Task
You have characteristics for the five kingdoms. Print a copy of the worksheet. Look at a set of pictures. Identify their kingdom.
Third Task
According to the 7th grade Sci-ber text, there are some things that need to be considered before items are classified. Below are some general rules to remember when classifying either living things or other items. Remember that in science it is possible that the methods of classification can be changed whenever new scientific knowledge becomes available.
- Know what items are being classified.
- Make many observations about the things to be classified.
- Classify the things based on the observations.
- Try to group the most similar things together.
- When grouping living things, place the most similar organisms in the same species.
- The largest, or most general, group of living things is the kingdom.
Your next task is to identify characteristics that could be used classifying organisms. For example, look at the picture below:
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Characteristics you could use to classify the parrot include shape of beak, color of beak, wing colors, breast colors, shape of head, head color, etc.
Go to the How to Classify page and complete your I Can Classify! worksheet.
Encarta - Classification (read Section III)
Division by Two (try the activity!)
Fourth Task
Know you know the basics of the five kingdoms. You need to make sure you understand using a dichotomous key. Review using a dichotomous key by playing the Plant Identification Game. Once you have completed the game, continue on to the final task.
Final Task
You're final task is to make a dichotomous key allowing you to identify three high clouds, two mid-level clouds, three low clouds, and one unusual cloud. To do this, you must first select the clouds that you will identify. Print a picture of each cloud. Then, list the characteristics of each type of cloud. Using the characteristics chart you made, you number your pictures, and then write a dichotomous key that can be used to identify each cloud picture.
Once you have completed your dichotomous key, give it to four (4) classmates and have them complete the dichotomous key. When you have completed this assignment, you need to turn in the following: cloud characteristics worksheet, pictures of your clouds, your dichotomous key, an answer sheet from the four classmates who completed the dichotomous key, and a short paper explaining whether you had written a good or poor dichotomous key. Use the results from the four classmates completing your key. Also, explain why you thought your key was good or poor. By the way, you may work with a partner (only two per group).
Oh, what's that? You need to know a good website to help you learn about clouds? Oh, sorry about that! Here's a great website you can use:
If you need a little extra help, here are some dichotomous key site you can use for help.
Sorting Objects Using a Dichotomous Key
Basics of Classification (review the whole page for a good review; dichotomous key information at the bottom of the site)
Take your time! Give your key to another group. See if they can answer it correctly. Once you are done, turn it in to me, the Supreme Commander. (That’s Mr. Hill, by the way!)
Evaluation
You must get a grade from the Supreme Commander. Turn in:
- Kingdom Data Sheet
- Your group Identifying Organisms Worksheet
- All the information required in the Final Task..
It must be neat. It must be correct. The Supreme Commander is feeling kinda' ornery today. I will be a tough grader!
Conclusion
Congratulations! You know Earth-style classification. You have done good work. After the bell rings, take a five-minute break!