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How Scientists Classify Animals

Completed by 17 learners

Ages 8-12

Self-Paced Class

A future vet, naturalist, zoologist or biologist will learn how scientists classify animals and how they are still discovering new species today.

Patricia Valdez Certified Teacher

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(215 reviews)

4 pre-recorded lessons

4 weeks of teacher support

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 pre-recorded lessons

4 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Homework

Homework submission is how I can evaluate a students understanding of the material.

Assessment

Students understanding is assessed by the homework submitted.

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 6

Beginner Level

*Please note that I prefer students to have their videos on during classtime and keep chatroom conversation to a minimum.

This is a great class for a student interested in a future with animals. Understanding how scientists classifiy animals is a great foundation for a future vet, naturalist, zoologist or biologist.
Day 1
Students will define the word "classify".
Students will learn who was Aristotle and Carolus Linnaeus?
Students will learn the history of how scientists came to classifying all animals into two groups. Living and Non-living.
Students are to bring a sketchpad to sketch some of the animals we will be discussing in class.
*Instructor may use a 2-3 minute Youtube video to further explain the lesson.
Day 2
Students will learn about animal characteristics.
Students will bring a sketchpad to class so that you can draw Venn diagrams and compare animal characteristics that we will be discussing in class.
*Instructor may use a 2-3 minute Youtube video to further explain the lesson.
Day 3
Students will learn what is a Classification Key (dichotomous key)
Students will learn how to use a classification key (dichotomous key). 
Students will create and classify their own animal or alien by pretending they have discovered a new species. 
Students will share their new animals on Day 4 with the class.
*Instructor may use a 2-3 minute Youtube video to further explain the lesson.
Day 4
Students will learn that they are still classifying animals to this day. 
Students will play CLASSIFY!
We will have fun classifying animals with clues and guess what animal groups they belong to.
Bring a sketchpad to class so that you can sketch some of the animals we will be discussing in class.
*Instructor may use a 2-3 minute Youtube video to further explain the lesson.
***There will be short 2-3 minute videos incorporated in the lessons if time allows.

Learning Goals

Students will learn the history of Taxonomy.

Students will learn the seven levels of classification.

Syllabus

Curriculum

Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum

4 Lessons

over 4 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Taxonomy

 Students will define the word "classify and taxonomy".
Students will learn who was Carolus Linnaeus.
Students will learn the history of how scientists classify all animals into two main groups.

Lesson 2:

History of Taxonomy

 Students will review the history of Taxonomy.
Students will learn about animal characteristics.
Through Venn diagrams, students will compare animal characteristics.

Lesson 3:

Techniques

 Students will learn how scientist used techniques to divide all life on Earth

Lesson 4:

Dichotomous Keys

 Students will learn to use a dichotomous key.

Other Details

Pre-Requisites

Students need to read at a third grade level and up.

Supply List

Computer paper or a sketch pad will be needed for the student to make diagrams and draw various animal characteristics.
Optional Reference Books
Nonfiction:
Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife by David Burnie
National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals by Karen McGhee
The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide by George McKay
A Life in the Wild: George Schaller's Struggle to Save the Last Great Beasts by Pamela Turner

2 files available upon enrollment

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Meet the teacher

Patricia Valdez Certified Teacher

Joined October, 2018

4.9

215reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Texas Teaching Certificate in Science

Having been a Science instructor for middle and high school students for over thirty-five years, I have enjoyed teaching about animals in my Biology and Life Science classes. I myself grew up with many different pets during my lifetime. With an array of animals experience, I was able to teach my students. I still have the passion to teach children all about animals.