Dichotomous Classification Key for Insects and Arthropods
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- Google Apps™
What educators are saying
Description
Science students of all ages love to use a classification key to identify organisms. Students begin this activity by using the included dichotomous key to determine the scientific names of 12 insects. In the second part of the activity, students must designed their own key to identity 5 different arthropods. Analysis and follow up questions are included. This activity is suited for scientists in grades 4 - 7. Both printable and digital versions of this resource are included. The student handouts can be printed or used in the paperless digital format in your Google Drive, Google Classroom, Microsoft OneDrive, or similar. This resource is perfect for traditional classroom settings, 1:1 schools, or distance learning.
In addition to the editable and printable version, I have included two digital versions. In one digital version, students will complete their work in Google Slides. In the second digital version, students will fill their answers into a self-grading Google Forms document. Choose the best option for you and your students.
What is included in this resource?
- Printable and Editable Student Handouts
- Digital paperless versions for use in Google Drive, Google Classroom, and/or Microsoft OneDrive
- Google Slides Version (not editable)
- Google Forms Version (editable)
- Teacher Guide and Answer Key
- Teacher Guide to Google Apps
The 5-page student handout includes the following:
- Dichotomous Key to the Class Insecta
- Detailed pictures of 12 insects
- Detailed pictures of 5 different arthropods to use in part 2.
- A two-page student answer sheet with 9 analysis questions.
So many people have requested that I write another resource similar to my two best-selling classification key activities:
Dichotomous Key to a "CRAZY" Animal Kingdom.
Dichotomous Key to the Genus "Smiley"
And here it is!
This is a very simple classification key that can be used at the beginning of a unit on classification. The purpose of this activity is to teach the students how to use a dichotomous key. A dichotomous key is a classification key that gives the students two choices to choose from before moving on to the next set of choices. Dichotomous keys are often found in field guide manuals.
No fancy scientific terms are used in this classification key. Students will be able to complete the activities without having to learn new vocabulary words.
This is a two-part activity. In the first part of the activity, students will use the classification key for the Class Insecta to identify the 12 different insects. In the second part of the activity, students will use pictures of 5 representative arthropods to build and construct their own dichotomous classification key for the phylum Arthropoda.
Also included is a 2-page Teacher Guide with tips, suggestions, and a complete answer key.
This resource is very appropriate for elementary and middle school grades. I have also used this in my high school biology classes as a simple way to teach dichotomous keys. My high school students find it entertaining. They quickly grasp the concept of the dichotomous classification key, and we move on to more scientific and complex keys.
Your download will include both an editable Word document and a pdf form of this activity.
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