What are the five kingdoms? Fifth graders engage in a series of investigations and research activities focused on the methods of classification used by scientists, as well as the language they use to describe the similarities and differences in living things.

Concepts

scientific classification, animal classification, plant classification, similarities, similarities and differences

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Save the presentations from year to year to serve as models for subsequent classes
• Divide the class into groups; present each group with a large bag of Legos, have them to sort the bricks into piles using a criteria they agree upon, and then share their classification criteria with the class

Classroom Considerations

• Designed as a two-week unit but can be extended to five weeks
• Although designed for Gifted and Talented (GATE) classes, the scaffolding makes the unit appropriate for all learners

Pros

• Learners take on the role of researchers searching for answers to questions they have generated
• Designed to engage all learning styles

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.1 RST.6-8.4 RST.6-8.7 RST.6-8.9