--+Lesson+1

=Lesson 1=



The topic for this lesson series is Classification of Living Things. Lesson One's topic is 'Introduction to Classification'. This is a Morning class in the beginning of the week. It is only 45 minutes long.
 * Part 1 of the 3-part program in Classification.
 * Learning Area: Science: Life & Living : Structure & Function : Classification
 * Year 8’s.

__WA Syllabus:__
 * Outcomes:**


 * 1) Classification can be applied to structural features of everyday objects
 * 2) Organisms have characteristics (structure and function) that can be used to classify them.

__Level 3:__ The student understands that living things have features that form systems which determine their interaction with the environment.

This will be done as they: 
 * Lesson One Objectives**: In and because of this lesson, students will demonstrate basic knowledge of classification.
 *  Show the basic principle of classification by using a dichotomous key to identify different jelly beans according to features.
 *  Indicate different characteristics organisms possess. (Cognitive: Comprehension)
 *  Begin to differentiate and compare different animals and plants based on characteristics.(Cognitive: Analysis)

 **Prior Knowledge:** Year 8’s. Expect no prior knowledge of specifics of classification, but students will recognize that some animals are more closely related to/more similar to each other than others.

> Resource is located at: http://www.ansp.org/education/special_programs/senses/pdf_gwms/harrypotter.pdf or here:
 *  Resources Required:**
 * Capacity for Teacher’s computer to be projected at front of class,
 * Several packets of Jelly Belly jellybeans.
 * Handouts of online resource on ‘Jelly Bean dichotomous keys’ OR if students have own laptops, provide them with a link to the resource.

media type="youtube" key="JpiVCM28qNs" height="349" width="425"
 * Lesson Steps:**
 *  1)** 10.00 am: Introduce topic. Begin with ‘Hook’ - Youtube video.

Introduce the concept that it is possible to organise the different animals according to the features they have in common. Introduce the idea in a simple way by showing some ordinary classroom objects, and organising them according to different features.
 *  2)** 10.05 am: Ask class – how are all these organisms different?

Set students up with this activity and walk around to see if they are understanding it, ask them questions to gage their understanding in class.
 *  3)** 10.15 am: Activity 1: Dichotomous keys of jelly beans. [[file:harrypotter.pdf]]

Why do humans want to classify things? What purpose is there in classifying/grouping animals and plants? (etc)
 *  4)** 10.30 am: Class discussion. Are Dichotomous keys useful?

 **5)** 10. 38 am: Set homework. Homework is: to pick 4 organisms students can find around their home (Pet cat, roses in the garden, little brother) and make their own dichotomous key. Some links that might help them:
 * http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/index.htm
 * http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/watercritter/critterindex.htm


 *  6)** 10.45 am: Class dismissed. (Students may eat Jelly Beans)


 * Assessment**
 *  Observation during dichotomous keys activity. Ask the quiet students some questions to gauge their understanding and facilitate their understanding.
 *  Students hand in their dichotomous keys of jelly beans worksheet, which then can be marked.
 *  Discussion. If one student has worked particularly hard/is very interested/needs praise but won’t feel punished by being asked to speak/present, ask them to show how they found one particular jellybean in the key.
 *  Homework (To be collected in lesson 2)

http://www.ansp.org/education/special_programs/senses/pdf_gwms/harrypotter.pdf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpiVCM28qNs&feature=related http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/index.htm http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/watercritter/critterindex.htm
 * References:**