$11
weeklyor $110 for all content
Wizard Taxonomy: Fantastic Beasts and How to Classify Them
Completed by 41 learners
Ages 8-18
Self-Paced Course
10 pre-recorded lessons
10 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.Start when you want.
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Access course material for a full year.
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What's included
10 pre-recorded lessons
10 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1 hour per week. Each week, learners have the opportunity to complete one or more "Expand Your Knowledge" activities. All activities are optional and at the discretion of the parent.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 12
Do magical creatures fit neatly into the taxonomic structures muggle scientists have designed? In this class, we'll discuss and critically examine the magical creatures found in wizardry. We'll attempt the biological classification of magical plants and animals. We'll study the traits and behaviors of different groups of living things, and how these groups are divided into categories for biologists to study. We'll learn the usefulness of cladograms for classification (as well as the downfalls of the current classification system). We will also explore the mythological inspirations for some of these creatures. Learners will also try their hand at designing at least three of their own fantastic creatures, and brainstorm how their beast compares to a real living thing. This is a self-paced course, which means there is no live component. Ten lessons are provided, consisting of a recorded lecture (each 40 to 50 minutes long) plus access to some extension activities that will deepen their understanding of the topic. You can do one lesson per week over ten weeks, or you can choose to move through the content more rapidly. It's up to you! Need a discount? Sure thing! All of my self-paced courses are "pay what you can afford." To get the discount you need, sign up for the full course, then message me with the discount you would like, and I will apply a partial refund.
Learning Goals
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.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 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.
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.
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.
Lesson 4:
Creepy Crawlies
Phylum Arthropoda (insects, spiders, crabs, lobsters, etc.). Creatures included: stick insects, doxies, giant dung beetles, amblypigis, crabs, etc.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University
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.
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