Lesson summary
Students explore dichotomous keys as a means for identifying and classifying living things. They use a number of keys including the CSIRO Key to Invertebrates to identify living things, then create their own key.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand that classification involves grouping organisms on the basis of similarities and differences in particular features.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- recognise that there are many ways we could classify living things, but that the dichotomous keys system is the one that scientists around the world use.
- implement scientific conventions when naming organisms.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions:
Science:
Students learn to:
- investigate the role of classification in ordering and organising the diversity of life on Earth and use and develop classification tools including dichotomous keys
General capabilities:
Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards:
By the end of Year 7, students explain how biological diversity is ordered and organised.
Resources Required
- CSIRO Key to Invertebrates website
- Images of Plants
- Individual devices capable of accessing the internet
- Schoolyard dichotomous key
- Student Worksheet - one copy per student
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- creativity
- critical thinking
Additional Info
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - oversee activity and facilitate discussion.
This is an original Cool+ lesson.
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