Wizard Taxonomy: Fantastic Beasts and How to Classify Them

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Lauren James
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Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(3,141)
A critical examination of magical animals mentioned in the popular wizard world, comparing their literary significance against the backdrop of biology, taxonomy, history, and mythology! This is a ten lesson self-paced course.

Class experience

US Grade 5 - 8
10 lessons//10 Weeks
 Week 1
Lesson 1
What is Life? What is Taxonomy?
Criteria for "life," non-living creatures in the wizard world, introduction to taxonomy. Creatures included: animated magical objects, ghosts, zombies, poltergeists, boggarts, etc.
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Kingdoms, Plants, and Fungi
Exploring the kingdoms of life, with a focus on the plant kingdom and fungi kingdom. Let's find out what magical creatures might fit in these kingdoms! Plants and Fungi included: toadstools, mistletoe, dittany, mandrakes, etc.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Phyla - Especially the Weird Ones!
Phyla of the animal kingdom, phylum Mollusca, phylum Annelida (molluscs, squid, worms), and all the "weird" phyla that no one usually thinks about! Creatures included: chitons, slugs, giant squids, tardigrades, etc.
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Creepy Crawlies
Phylum Arthropoda (insects, spiders, crabs, lobsters, etc.). Creatures included: stick insects, doxies, giant dung beetles, amblypigis, crabs, etc.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Magical Water Creatures
Intro to phylum Chordata, class Pisces, class Amphibia (fish and amphibians). Creatures included: zouwu, hippocampus, kelpie, merpeople, ramora, sea serpents, fire salamander, kappa, etc.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Reptiles, Dinosaurs, and Dragons!
Introduction to the "Class" in taxonomy with Class Reptilia (reptiles) Creatures included: dragons, chupacabra, basilisk, horned serpent, etc.
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Fantastic Flying Things
Class Aves (birds). Creatures included: ravens, snallygaster, basan rooster, owl, griffin, hippogriff, thunderbird, and many more!
 Week 8
Lesson 8
Mammals Part 1 (Lots of Fangs!)
Intro to Class Mammalia, order Carnivora (hoofed mammals and large carnivores). Creatures included: badger, hodag, cerberus, werewolf, chimera, manticore, wampus cat, etc.
 Week 9
Lesson 9
Mammals Part 2: Hooves and Humans
Order Artiodactyla, order Perrisodactyla, order Primates (monkeys, apes, humanoid magical creatures). Creatures included: leucrotta, winged horses, centaur, unicorn, yeti, pixie, fairy, gnome, leprechaun, goblin, redcap, etc.
 Week 10
Lesson 10
Mammals Part 3: Cuddly Critters
All other mammal orders, unclassified mammals, miscellaneous creatures. Creatures included: duckbilled platypus, echidna, marsupials, rabbit, elephant, aardvark, sloth, etc. Includes a review of "What is life?" while we cover some magical creatures that don't fit neatly into any taxonomic category.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:

♦ Explain the basics of Biological Classification Systems.
♦ Understand how DNA, fossils, and evolutionary lines are all building blocks of modern taxonomy.
♦ Describe the characteristics of specific kingdoms, phyla, classes, and orders of living things.
♦ Explain the limitations of using a taxonomic system to classify fictional/magical creatures.
♦ Describe the weaknesses of our current taxonomic system.
♦ Define these terms: monophyletic, paraphyletic, polyphyletic.
I am a certified science teacher in the state of Arizona, with more than a decade of experience teaching children.  My classes are offered in a lecture format, so your child can participate to his or her comfort level.
Outschool is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., owner of the Harry Potter® mark and related Harry Potter marks.
Star Educator
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(3,141)
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💰 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 💰
I offer a "pay what you can afford" discount for all flex classes. After you enroll, send me a message from the section you signed up for. I can then apply a partial refund to match the amount you need; it can be any amount! 

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Flex Class

$11

weekly or $110 for 10 weeks
10 weeks

Completed by 39 learners
No live video meetings
Ages 10-15

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