Explain that they are going to be given a set of clues. They can use these clues and field guides to figure out what kind of animal the clues fit. Be sure they know that ALL the clues are true for the organism they are to identify. Distribute clues to groups and have them determine what the animal is. Let them know they must tell the rest of the class how they can be certain that they have identified the correct species.
Class can guess the animal.
Group who identified the animal should tell why they were sure they had found the correct species. Now each group creates clues to a creature that is found in our area. They must come up with at least 10 clues, ones that distinguish the creature from others that may be similar. Distribute student-created clues and repeat the exercise, so they are searching for animals based on their classmates' clues. It is helpful for the students to become familiar with the taxonomic groupings of the animals in order to more successfully use the field guides.