Lesson Plan
Animal Classification
Grade Levels
Intermediate, 5th Grade
Description
This lesson is designed to teach students about how scientists classify animals and what criteria they use.
Website(s)
Cool Science
Duration
3 class periods, 45-minutes each
Objective
Given a SMART Board presentation, on-line activities, and a video, students will be able to complete a classification worksheet to 80% accuracy.
Procedure
Preparation:
1. Print and make copies of the animal classification worksheet under the "Support Materials" section below.
2. Bring in a variety of objects that students can categorize (ex. different size balls-marbles, golf balls, baseballs, etc., shoes, soft or hard objects).
3. Check Internet access and links on "Animal Classification" lesson.
Delivery:
1. Group students in pairs. Give them a variety of objects and have them categorize them any way they feel makes the most sense.
2. As a whole, discuss each groups' strategy and have them explain why they grouped the items the way they did. Explain how scientists use similar strategies when classifying living things.
3. Click on the "Animal Classification" link under the "Support Materials" section and complete the activities in the SMART Board lesson.
4. Have students take notes in their Science notebooks as they participate in and observe the activities in the lesson.
Assessment:
Hand out the worksheet for students to complete independently.
