Description

Students work together to arrange a set of 18 Animal Cards into groups and then adjust their groupings as they learn how scientists classify animals into phyla. By identifying the common features of animals within each phylum, students learn what kinds of characteristics define the major animal phyla. Each card provides a color photo of an organism as well as relevant information about skeletal, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Students review the relationship between kingdom and phyla by placing the Animal Cards within a set of Classification Cards that summarize the five major kingdoms.

• Maximum 32 students/8 groups
• One 50 minute class period
• Non-consumable; can be reused

Concepts Illustrated:

• Construct and compare classification systems
• Describe characteristics used to define phyla
• Identify several invertebrate phyla
• Understand the relationship between kingdom and phylum