Objective Students will be able to recognize similarities in different species. When scientists classify an animal, they look at many features including body covering, appendanges, means of locomotion, and mode of reproduction. They look for common and unique characteristics. A useful tool for listing characteristics and identifying organisms is a dichotomous key. Explain to students that animals may have several similarities even though they are classified in very different categories.
Students place shoes in one pile.
Their task is to classify the shoes according to the shoes' characteristics. List categories on the classroom board and create a dichotomous key. The key lists a sequence of questions. Each key should offer a choice of a yes or no answer. Next, distribute copies of the animal illustrations.