Teaching Classification and Taxonomy = FUN!!

What is this organism?  

What characteristics does it have? To what other organisms is it related? Is it a vertebrate or an invertebrate? What does it eat? What role does it play in the ecosystem?

All biology teachers have particular topics that they really don't like to teach, and topics that we LOVE LOVE to teach. Teaching classification is a topic that I LOVE!

Classification and taxonomy involves problem solving and critical thinking.  Basically a taxonomist is a "living organism detective."

Teaching classification and taxonomy in a biology class can be such a fun unit of study. By incorporating hands-on activities, you can transform textbook concepts into learning experiences that captivate students and deepen their understanding of the diversity of life on Earth. You can bring the world of classification and taxonomy to life by exposing your students to the amazing living organisms around them.

If this is already TL;DR, skip straight to the bottom of the post to see my TPT offerings on classification and taxonomy.

You’ll want to begin your unit by teaching the basics. Before students can get their hands on fun activities, they are going to need to know the basics of the work of Linnaeus, binomial nomenclature, characteristics used to classify living organisms, cladistics, and the 6-kingdom classification system. Once the students have this basic knowledge, the fun can begin.

Click any image to view the resource.

This time-saving PowerPoint and Notes Set will provide the instruction your students need. The images, photos, and graphics are colorful and appealing and will hold your students' attention. It includes notes for the teacher, an outline of notes for students to fill, and both printable and digital options.

After teaching for many years, this I know to be true: Kids love a dichotomous classification key! Dichotomous keys are invaluable in teaching students how to identify and classify organisms. A dichotomous key presents a series of choices that lead the user through a sequence of steps to arrive at the correct identification. The process not only reinforces critical thinking skills but also promotes a deeper understanding of the characteristics that differentiate species.

The following variety of engaging dichotomous keys cover a wide range of organisms. Even when students have mastered how to use a dichotomous key, they will never complain if you give them more. My favorite type of classification key activity involves two parts: Students begin by using a dichotomous key that is included in the activity, followed by students writing their own classification key to identify a given set of organisms. 

Cladograms are another essential tool for teaching classification and taxonomy. These tree-like diagrams illustrate the evolutionary relationships among different species based on shared characteristics. By constructing cladograms, students can visualize how species are related and trace their evolutionary history.

This exercise not only fosters a better understanding of evolutionary biology but also enhances students' ability to analyze and synthesize information.

Task cards are a versatile and interactive way to reinforce key concepts in classification and taxonomy. These cards can be used in a variety of ways, from individual practice to collaborative group activities. Each card presents a specific task or question related to classification, prompting students to apply what they have learned. I prefer to use them in a lab rotation style. Kids love to be up and moving!

Finally, my high school kids love to color! This classification color by number activity is perfect for classwork, homework, or your sub folder.

There are just so many fun things to do when teaching classification. I always have to make myself wrap up the unit and move on to a new topic! By using hands-on activities, you will provide your students with meaningful and memorable learning experiences that will stay with them long after the class is over.

Check out these resources and hands-on activities for your classification unit.

• Classification and Taxonomy Complete Teaching Unit Bundle
• Classification and Taxonomy PowerPoint and Notes Set
• Lab: Classification Using Dichotomous Keys
• Let's Build a Dichotomous Key!
• Let's Build a Cladogram!
• Dichotomous Key for Arthropods and Insects
• Kingdoms of Life Card Sort Game
• Dichotomous Key to the Genus Smiley
• Classification Key Task Cards
• Classification Color by Number Activity

A Dichotomous Classification Key with a Holiday Twist!

Combine how to teach (or review) a dichotomous classification key with a wonderful community service project!

I absolutely love the holiday season for so many reasons, but one of my favorite reasons is that I look forward to this activity with my biology students so much!  I came up with this idea several years ago while racking my brain for an activity that could be done with my high school biology students just before the Christmas break.  I wanted to involve my students in a community service activity and also wanted it to be related to science in some way.

Starting this week, in the few days before we dismiss for Thanksgiving holidays, I will place a collection box in my classroom.  I tell my students that we are going to collect money for a project that will benefit those less fortunate than we are.  I encourage them to give what they can.  I let them know that we will be collecting money for several weeks.  Since most high school students usually have a bit of change in their pockets, I encourage them to place some coins in the box whenever they feel they can spare it.

After a few weeks, I use the money to buy various candies (Hershey bars, Reese's peanut butter cups, peppermint patties) and travel size toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.) Then one day just before we dismiss for the Christmas holidays, I have my students complete my activity called, "The Dichotomous Key to Holiday Giving and Community Service." (FREE download.)

The students are given the different candies and toiletries.  They must use my dichotomous classification key to determine the "scientific" name of each item.  As the candies are classified they are placed into small red stockings.  As the toiletries are classified, they are placed in quart sized ziplock bags.  After school we deliver the stockings of candy and the bags of toiletries to our local food bank.  We live in a small town so many of the students are able and willing to accompany me to the food bank.  As the food bank distributes food for the holidays, they will include our candy and toiletries in the boxes of food they distribute.  The fine folks who work at the food bank are always so excited to get our small contributions, and many of my students will stay at the food bank for the afternoon and volunteer.

I have a particular fondness for our small, local food bank, but you might also consider doing this activity and donating your items to a nursing home or another worthwhile organization such as the Salvation Army.  Your students might not learn a whole lot of science in this activity, but they will experience the joy of giving and the value of serving the community.

You can download this activity for free:  A Dichotomous Key to Holiday Giving and Community Services.    I hope you enjoy this activity as much as I do!

Have fun teaching!

Tardigrades - The Amazing Water Bear!

The Water Bear:  

Toughest Animal Alive!!

The tardigrades, or water bears, have to be one of the most amazing creatures on this Earth.  I thought about them just this week in my biology class when we were discussing two evolutionary problems that had to be solved before plants and animals could colonize the land masses (dehydration and reproduction).  While thinking about dehydration, I mentioned the water bears to my classes.  I try to throw out fun factoids to my students whenever possible.  My students love hearing snippets of amazing "science stuff" and I love how it stimulates their scientific curiosity.  The mention of water bears caused a ripple of questions by my students, so I did a bit more research in order to satisfy their curiosity.

The Amazing Facts About Water Bears!

(Drum roll, please!)

• Tardigrades are commonly called "water bears" or "moss piglets".  They look like chubby little microscopic bears!
• They are animals with 8 legs. Each leg ends with 4 to 8 claws.
• They are very small.  They range in size from a quarter of a millimeter to a half a millimeter.
• Tardigrades are the toughest animal around. They can survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal.
• Tardigrades are famous for their ability to perform "cryptobiosis". They can survive for years without water.  Normally their body is 85% water.  Their body composition can drop from 85% water down to 3% water and still survive.

• They can spend years in this dehydrated state.
• While in a dehydrated state, the metabolic rate drops to .01% of normal.
• They can survive extreme temperatures.  They have been known to survive in temperatures as low as -273 degrees Celsius and as high as 151 degrees Celsius.
• They can survive 1000 times more radiation than any other animal.
• Tardigrades are the first known animals that can survive the vacuum of space!  Tardigrades have returned alive when exposed to the vacuum of space for a few days in low Earth orbit.
• They can remain in the state of suspended animation for years. When placed in water, they become active again.
• Tardigrades can survive in the extremely low pressure of a vacuum as well as high pressure of 1200 atmospheres.

• Tardigrades have been discovered in hot springs, on top of the Himalayas, and under layers of solid ice.  
• They may be found living on land or in fresh or salt water.
• They belong to the phylum Tardigrada and the superphylum Ecdysozoa.
• Their body is covered with a cuticle composed of chitin.  They molt periodically.

Here is a fun idea that I am going to try.  (I just read about this on the internet, and I am definitely going to give this a try!!)  Collect a few samples of moss.  You might ask your students to bring in samples that they find around their homes.  Soak the moss in a Petri dish for a few hours. Remove the moss and place the Petri dish under a dissecting microscope. You should find water bears!

Here is a pretty amazing video that I found on youtube.  This will definitely get the attention of your biology students!

Have fun teaching!!