Classification

Activities

Have students do this NOVA activity for classifying fish. The worksheet is in html or (pdf).
Try this “Animal Classifications” game.
This “Drag and Drop” game has students put the classification categories in the correct order.
Have students do this “Classification” (doc) wordsearch puzzle with answers (doc).
Here is an activity for making a cladogram (pdf).
Using a dichotomous key to identify “Pamishan Creatures.”
Use a dichotomous key to identify imaginary creatures of the genus “Norno.”
Try this “Interpreting Graphics–Taxonomy” worksheet.
“All In the Family” is an online PBS activity in which students construct a cladogram.
“Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships” is a Teacher’s Domain lesson (You must register for free to access.) that includes videos, readings, and worksheets. In one activity, students construct a cladogram.
Try this “Cladograms and Genetics” (doc) activity from Mrs. Rebello.
And do Mrs. Rebello’s “Constructing a Cladogram” (doc) activity, and extention of the Biology Corner activity.
In “Harry Potter and the Dichotomous Key” (pdf) students use a key to classify jelly beans.
Have students classify these “Creepy Critters” (pdf) into similar groups. Creepy Critter cards (pdf) are included.

Use pictures of labware (or the actual labware) to make a dichotomous key (doc). This diagram (doc) can be used to organize the labware.
“Cladistics Is a Zip. . . Baggie” uses ziploc bags of varying sizes to produce a cladogram. PDF files are included for student handouts and much more.
NOVA‘s “Hardware Organism” lab has students classify types of screws and nails and develop a cladogram for them. It includes HTML and PDF handouts for students. I developed a blank characterics chart and cladogram (doc) to use with this activity.