These lessons are designed to provide students with an introduction to conventional classification systems of binomial nomenclature and dichotomous keys used by scientists.  With a background in the conventional system, which is based upon like characteristics, students will be able to apply that knowledge to learn the XID System. The XID System includes a range of attributes; like characteristics and ecological factors.  Learning to view plants and animals within their ecological context will provide valuable tools necessary for future NatureMapping activities. The following lessons require Adobe Acrobat Reader (click Adobe link at bottom of page)

Western Rattlesnake Photo Credit: Mark Goddard

• Classification Pre-test - testing prior knowledge
• Classification Pre-test Key
• Introduction to Classification - how do your students organize things?
• Classification Worksheet - practice grouping different sets of animals and plants
• Mythical Classification - develops an understanding on how science organizes by like characteristics
• Using the Dichotomous Key - practice with a simplified frog key and developing their own flower key
  Handouts/Transparencies
• Frogs
• Frog Anatomy
• Frog Key
• Classification of Triangulum species - practice session for the XID System

If you don't have the Adobe Reader application on your system, you can download this directly from Adobe, who make the program available FREE from their web site, with complete simple directions for your system. Just click on the "Get Acrobat" logo below.

Last updated 11/10/03