Classification and Taxonomy: Reviewing Important Concepts

This Kingdoms of Life Mix and Match Game is an excellent way to review the concepts of classification and taxonomy.

When teaching a unit on classification and taxonomy, the presentation of the six kingdom classification system seems pretty easy and straight forward, right? When I ask my students what kingdom frogs belong to, I know without a doubt that they are going to say "Animalia."  For our middle and high school life science students, learning which organisms belong to which kingdom is a simple task that is quickly and easily mastered.

But when I ask my students questions like these, they will hesitate.  And often give the wrong answer.

• Name the kingdom that contains heterotrophic plants.
• Name the kingdom in which all members are autotrophs.
• Name the kingdom that contains prokaryotes with peptidoglycans in their cell walls.
• Name two kingdoms in which all members are heterotrophs.
• Name the kingdom that contains organisms with specialized cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• Name the kingdom in which all members have cell walls composed of cellulose.

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I have fallen in love with using mix and match card sort games as a way of reviewing and reinforcing concepts in my science classes.  My latest creation is this Kingdoms of Life Mix/Match Game.  

Students are given 6 larger cards.  Each large card has the name of one of the six kingdoms in the 6-kingdom classification system.  The set also has 80 "answer cards."  Students are tasked with matching the answer card to the correct kingdom.

The game comes with student answer sheets and a 7-page teacher guide.  The student answer sheets are optional, but I always have my students record the answer card statements on the answer sheet.  Writing is a way of studying, and the answer sheets make a great study guide for the unit test.  The teacher guide has lots of suggestions for how to use the game, directions for set up and implementation, and of course, a complete answer key.

The game is perfect for all life science students of different ability levels because you can easily differentiate the game for any group of learners.  By selecting which answer cards to use, you can make the game perfect for any ability level.

If you like this idea, you might want to check out my other mix/match games:
Cell Organelles Mix Match
Organic Compounds Mix Match 

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.

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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