Name:
Partner:
Period:
Due Date:
Animal
•
To learn how to create a classification system.
•
To understand the reasons for classification in science.
1.
Everyone in the room should take off their shoe(s) and toss them into the middle of the room.
2.
Your job is to divide the shoes into categories based on their characteristics. Some of the characteristics you could look at are: left or right, laces or no laces, colour, size, type, etc.
YOU CANNOT USE BRAND NAME!
3.
It may be easiest to start with a characteristic that could divide the whole group into two groups.
4.
Then divide the first groups into 2-3 groups and so on.
5.
You should continue until every shoe is uniquely classified.
6.
Make diagram of how you divided out the shoes – an example has been provided.
Hard, outer covering
Soft body, no shell
6 Legs
8 Legs
Long, thin body
Short, fat body
Wings
No wings
Round body, short legs
Small body, long legs
WORM
SLUG
GRASSHOPPER
ANT
TICK
SPIDER
Created by C.Carroll & K.De Luccia - 9/10 (ver.2011)

1.
What is classification?
2.
Why is classification an important life skill?
3.
Give one example of how classification is or can be used in your daily life?
4.
If someone makes an error while using the key, what did they probably do wrong?
5.
What were some of the common characteristics that you used to classify your shoes?
6.
Did you have any trouble classifying the shoes? Explain.
7.
Is there more than one way you could have classified the shoes?
1.
Write a brief paragraph on the back of your diagram describing what you learned during this activity.
Created by C.Carroll & K.De Luccia - 9/10 (ver.2011)