Biodiversity Classification Activity Survey of Modern Kingdoms Engagement

Background 4 Based on the Summer Training Program classification activity, shortened to 45 min. 4 Basic characteristics of organisms can be used as a basis to divide them into different groups 4 Compare modern kingdoms to students’ systems

Materials 4 Organism specimens, 4 Large Newsprint living and dead 4 Examples: 4 Markers – – – Leaves Shells Potted Plants Termites Frog and/or Tadpoles 4 (Optional) Textbooks or other source of literature classification system.

Activity Highlights 4 Groups of 2 or 3 students observe 10 or more specimens placed at different stations around the room 4 Groups create rules to divide organisms into different groups 4 Using the rules, students draw out their own classification system on the newsprint, using some of the organisms as models for each category

Activity Highlights (2) 4 After short presentation of each system, Teacher presents modern kingdoms and some rules used to separate them – Time permitting, students can contribute using resources in a group discussion 4 Fellow leads short discussion on advantages and disadvantages of students’ systems and literature system. – Practical versus evolutionary relationships – Importance of Scientific community