Classification Activity Survey of Modern Kingdoms Engagement Biodiversity Classification Activity Survey of Modern Kingdoms Engagement

Background Based on the Summer Training Program classification activity, shortened to 45 min. Basic characteristics of organisms can be used as a basis to divide them into different groups Compare modern kingdoms to students’ systems

Materials Organism specimens, living and dead Examples: Leaves Shells Potted Plants Termites Frog and/or Tadpoles Large Newsprint Markers (Optional) Textbooks or other source of literature classification system.

Activity Highlights Groups of 2 or 3 students observe 10 or more specimens placed at different stations around the room Groups create rules to divide organisms into different groups Using the rules, students draw out their own classification system on the newsprint, using some of the organisms as models for each category

Activity Highlights (2) After short presentation of each system, Teacher presents modern kingdoms and some rules used to separate them Time permitting, students can contribute using resources in a group discussion Fellow leads short discussion on advantages and disadvantages of students’ systems and literature system. Practical versus evolutionary relationships Importance of Scientific community