All of the items listed below can be found in our classroom. Classify these items into 6 different groups. Give each group a 2-word name based on the contents of that group.
Teacher
Pencil Holder
Radio
Shark
Sponge
Paper towels
Cabinets
Stapler
Picture frame
Sink
Tape
Soap
Desk
TV
Mouse
Pens
Magnet
Scissors
Computer
Erasers
Paper
Books
Baskets
Students
Candles
Chairs Table VCR Cleaner Hole puncher
Group 1: Group 2: Group 3:
Group 4: Group 5: Group 6:

Create a dichotomous key to identify each of the animals pictured below. To get started, compare body parts, habitats, and behaviors of the animals, and identify and list similar characteristics.
Dragonfly Flamingo
Manatee Salmon
Sea Urchin Sea Turtle
Conclusion: Explain the characteristics you used to create the 6 groups. When you consider that there are over 1 million animals that have been named on the planet, why is it important that all scientists use the same system for naming and classifying them?

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unusual organisms on Earth, many of which we hope to meet on our trip. To find order in the tremendous diversity of life on Earth, the science of taxonomy, or the ordered classification of organisms, was developed. In 1753, Carl von Linnaeus introduced a two-word naming system known as binomial nomenclature, which we continue to use today.
PROCEDURE
In this activity, you will be creating your own classification system.
1.
Separate the organisms into two groups that are similar in some way.
2.
Identify the subdivisions with a category name and indicate the name on the bottom of each card.
3.
Now separate each group into two subdivisions of species that have more specific like characteristics.
4.
Continue to make subdivisions until each organism is in a category by itself.
5. List your groups of living things and give them 2 word names to describe them.
6. Complete the critical thinking questions below.
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1.
On what basis did you initially separate organisms?
2.
After the initial grouping, what characteristics did you use as distinguishing factors?
3.
Specify the kingdoms that were noted in your separations.
4.
In terms of shared characteristics, what happens as you make more subdivisions?
5.
What phyla were represented in your groupings?
6.
What classes were represented in your groupings?