Classification Lesson
PowerPoint slides
1. Introduction
2. What do you think classify means?
Means to arrange or order by categories
To divide into groups according to similarities
3. Why do we classify things?
We classify things into groups and categories to help us stay organized, keep track of
things and be able to compare different things.
4. What are some real-life examples of classification?
Video store, dress shop, Wal-mart, jewelry store
5. How are grocery stores organized?
For example, similar foods are grouped together on supermarket shelves to make it
easier for customers to find them. Different brands of peanut butter sit on the same
shelf so you can compare one to another and decide which you prefer.
6. Give of how cereals are organized in the store:
Subgroups – alphabetically, by type of cereal, children’s and adults, healthy, price,
brand name.
7. Why do scientists need to classify living things?
Scientists classify living things to help explain their relationships to each other and
to be able to learn things about newly discovered creatures by noting their
similarities to known creatures.
8. How do scientists classify living things?
According to cell structure
According to animal behavior
How the eat – engulf would be an animal
How they live – hibernate like a bear
How they reproduce
Lay eggs, live births
How they get their nutrients
Example – animals engulf food while plants make their own food.
9. Science of Classification
Scientists have put all living things into one of 5 kingdoms
In your book they have only 5 kingdoms listed – right now there are 6 and some
scientists say there are 7 kingdoms.
The 2 kingdoms that scientists are debating on dividing are Monera and Protista (on
the next slide they are noted by a star)
10. Picture of the 5 Kingdoms
Point out Monera and Protist kingdoms are both being studied to see if they should
be divided
Monera – divided into oldest known bacteria, and modern bacteria
Protists – divided into animal-like and plant-like
11. Naming Organisms
Linnaeus – genus and species
12. Beanie Baby Activity
Beanie Baby Lab
Materials:
Beanie babies
Lab notebook/pen
Instructions:
Spread out beanie babies on a pile in the middle of the floor. (Have students sitting in a
semi-circle around the room)
Say: You are now going to create a Beanie Baby Kingdom and organize the babies into
groups based on physical similarities.
Ask a student volunteer to divide the Beanie babies into 2 main groups.
Ask another volunteer to separate the babies into 2 sub groups from the 2 main
groups. Keep further subdividing the babies until you run out.