LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Classification with pictures

Students learn taxonomy through presenting a project to the class.

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Science

By Lemuel Lamb

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  • Roanoke/Cashie River Center: Open Tuesday-Saturday, this is a great place to take students to learn more about the wetlands and the history of the area.

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Although this project can be done with any kingdom, animal structures and similarities show up much better in pictures. Students also seem to have a better understanding of animal structures. This plan works best with upper-level students, but it can be used with General Biology students as well as Advanced Biology students.

Learning outcomes

The student will demonstrate an understanding of morphology based classification.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 days

Materials/resources

  • biology textbook
  • reference materials
  • a source of animal pictures (these may come from old books, magazines, etc. They may also be drawn. Photocopies are allowed.)
  • assessment rubric (PDF)

Technology resources

The technology needs will vary from student to student. Some students may find the need for a computer, the Internet, a printer, and a copier. Others may want an overhead for their presentation.

Pre-activities

The teacher should first teach the section on Taxonomy.

Activities

The procedures will vary and depends upon your organization and presentation of the subject. Some version of the following should be common to all projects:

  1. You should choose a specific animal to classify. (e.g. bear is general while polar bear is specific)
  2. Research the 7 taxa names of your chosen specific animal.
  3. Collect pictures of a large assortment of animals. (You will need several pictures of several of the animals.)
  4. You should divide your project into 7 sections (one for each taxon) and decide on a creative presentation.
  5. Make sure you have a picture of the animal you have chosen to put in each of the seven sections.
  6. Start by putting pictures of the required animals in the Kingdom section with your chosen animal. (A minimum of 25 pictures are required in your kingdom.)
  7. Next, put a picture of your chosen animal and other animals that share it’s phylum in the phylum section. These animals should come from those pictured in your kingdom section. (The number of pictures in this and the remaining taxa should decrease in each section until you have only one picture in the species section) H. Repeat the above for each of the following taxa. (The pictures in the taxon you are working on should come from the previous taxon.)
  8. Give students the following information about grading:
    • The following criteria will be used to grade your project:
      • Project: the project itself is worth two-thirds of your total grade. This grade will be broken down this way:
        1. Number of pictures and phyla represented in the kingdom. You should have a minimum of 25 pictures in your kingdom. Also make sure you have at least one picture of an animal from each of the following 9 phyla represented in your kingdom: Porifera; Cnidaria; Platyhelminthes; Nematoda; Annelida; Mollusca; Echinodermata; Arthropoda; Chordata — up to 30 points
        2. Correct taxonomic names — up to 25 points
        3. Correct grouping of animals in each taxa — up to 30 points
        4. Originality of presentation — up to 15 points
      • Report: (One-third of your total grade)
        1. Your report must be typed. It should include information on your animal. You should cover such things as its habitat, its description; its diet, etc.
        2. Your report should also cover your animal’s taxonomic information (kingdom, phylum, etc).
        3. Be sure to follow proper taxonomic conventions.

Assessment

Use the classification rubric.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 9–12 — Biology

  • Goal 4: The learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.
    • Objective 4.01: Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships.
      • The historical development and changing nature of classification systems.
      • Similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
      • Similarities and differences among the eukaryotic kingdoms: Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals.
      • Classify organisms using keys.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Science (2010)

      • Biology

        • Bio.3.5 Analyze how classification systems are developed based upon speciation. Bio.3.5.1 Explain the historical development and changing nature of classification systems. Bio.3.5.2 Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships...