Classifying Living Organisms into Kingdoms

Lesson Details Subject: Science Learning Levels: Intermediate, Middle School Author(s): Mitzi Petersen, Chris Schaben, Steve Waterman, Aurietha Hoesing Submitted by:

Abstract This the second lesson in a series of three that fall under the unit Diversity of Organisms. In this lesson students will be using the knowledge gained from Lesson 1 about classification and applying it to Kingdoms. In groups students will discuss the most important characteristics of each kingdom, then summarizing those characteristics in each of the five pages of their flip book on kingdoms. Students will review the characteristics of each kingdom and discuss as a class similarities and differences among kingdoms. Lesson fundamental understandings: Essential Questions: There is a wide variety of organisms on Earth. Scientists have developed 5 kingdoms in which to group organisms. Questions: 1. Why is it important for scientists to group organisms into kingdoms? 2. How do scientists determine which kingdom an organism goes into? 3. What effects would you see if living organisms were not grouped together? Standards National Standards National Science Standards, Life Science, Grades 6-8. -Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganisms are alive today. Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry. Content Standard K-12 UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES STANDARD: As a result of activities in grades K-12, all students should develop understanding and abilities aligned with the following concepts and processes: * Systems, order, and organization State Standards Nebraska Science Standards, Live Science, Grades 5-8. 8.4.5 By the end of eighth grade, students will develop an understanding of diversity and adaptations of organisms. Lesson Prerequisite Skills Students should have completed Lesson One of the unit, which teaches students how to classify objects. Teacher Information/Situations/Setting/Time Time: This lesson is designed to take place over three days, forty minutes per day. Materials/Resources: 1. A resource is needed to supply information on the five animal kingdoms. This can be done using a classroom textbook, information from encycyclopedias, or other available resources. 2. To construct the flip book students will need 5 sheets of letter size white copy paper and a stapler. Students may use whatever medium (pencils, markers, etc) the teacher deems appropriate. Pre-lesson preparation: An already constructed flip book should be available to use as an example. An overhead transparency showing the headings for each page of the flip book is needed. The headings will be the five kingdoms. Assessment 1. Students will complete a flip book which the teacher will check for understanding. Students will be assessed on having the correct characteristics and organisms for each kingdom written in their flip book. Student Activity/Tasks 1. Have students recall the methods they used to classify objects and the discussion on how scientists classify all living things. Ask if they think scientists always agree on where to place organisms. 2. Explain to students that scientists have grouped organisms into 5 main groups or "kingdoms". Have students list the kingdoms they are familliar with on the board or overhead. Add to the list if not all are listed by the class. 3. Have students recall the characteristics they used to group their objects from Lesson 1. They might have grouped by shapes, sizes, color, material made from, etc. Ask for some examples they might already know about characteristics of the animal kingdom. Students should have an understanding of what a characteristic is in order to do the activity. 4. Show the model of a flip book with each page labeled for a kingdom and how to staple and fold so that each page has a tab at the bottom. Allow student work time in partners or small groups to complete the flip book. 5. Students will investigate the characteristics of each kingdom and list at least four of them on the flip book. Also include at least four examples of organisms for each kingdom. Students should draw a picture and label each organism represented. Provide resources like a science textbook , online encyclopedia, or other resources to locate characteristics of each kingdom. 6. Finally, in a whole class discussion ask the students some questions. How do organisms differ from one kingdom to another? Are there any generalizations they can make as they look at all 5 kingdoms? New species are being discovered all the time. How would you go about classifying a new species into one of the kingdoms? What are some of the characteristics that would determine the new species kingdom. Enrichment/Alternate Activity: Use the internet to explore and locate information on any new species that has been discovered recently. How did the scientists classify the new species. List the kingdom and any other information about the new species. Cross-Curricular: Technology Requirements/Tools/Materials Computers with access to the internet and encyclopedia software Acknowledgements: Additional Resources Main URL: Related Lessons Related Resources Copyright © 1997-2003 Career Connection to Teaching with Technology USDOE Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Marshall Ransom, Project Manager All rights reserved.