Classification+Unit

The first unit in our class is Classification. What is classification? How do scientists use classification? What are the levels of classification? These are all questions that we will learn the answers to during this unit. By exploring the website links that are attached to this unit, you will be able to learn everything! To begin, watch the video in the first attached link. Introduction to Classification

When we classify living organisms, we break down into different groups. Each group gets a little bit smaller, and a lot more specific. The way we organize living organisms is by using the following process:

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

Another video to watch that will help you to remember the order of classification is the next link. Classification Rap Video If you need to, watch this video again and sing along! This song will be a huge help when trying to remember the order in which we classify living organisms!

Now... classifying organisms isn't as easy as it sounds... There are many different kingdoms, phylums, etc. In fact, there are 6 different kingdoms! These are the biggest groups of all, and there are 6 of them! Can you guess which kingdom that humans are in? Take a guess... Humans, or homo sapiens, are classified in the Animal Kingdom! Let's go ahead and stop for now and complete an activity...

__Activity__

We need to practice classifying! Scientists use a list of rules to decide which kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, and genus that organism is in. The way that they always remember which category each organism go in, scientists use something called a dichotomous key ! Practice using this dichotomous key with objects from around your classroom.

Dichotomous Key to fill in