Unit 1: Thinking About MI in the Classroom - A Lesson Plan

A Lesson on Classifying Living Organisms

Objectives:

(206-1) Classify living things in the local habitat and create a chart or diagram that shows the method of classifying.

Materials:

·        Recording material (ie. paper, pencil, camera, smartphone) during outing.

·        Recording material on which to create a chart or diagram (ie. computer software, paper and pencil, Bristol board) after outing.

Introduction:

This learning activity takes place in 3 separate parts.

Step 1: Students and teacher go to a local habitat. Once there in small groups students locate as many different living things as possible. Students can use a camera, smartphone, paper and pencil, etc., or any combination of these to record the living things they are able to find.

Step 2: In small groups, back in the classroom, students assemble their collection of living things. They are then asked to sort these living things into different groups based on similar characteristics. During the activity probing questions are asked by the teacher such as what characteristic does each group of living things based and are there organisms that can fit in more than one group. When students are finished classifying and sorting they are asked if they can find different ways in which they could have sorted their organisms.

Step 3: Once students have decided on a classification scheme they then create a chart or diagram that illustrates their method of classification. Students can use their choice of presentation method including software (ie. Kidspiration), Bristol board, chart paper, etc. Students may use pictures and/or words in their charts / diagrams.

During the completion of this activity several multiple intelligences will be engaged. These include linguistic, logical, interpersonal, visual/special, and naturalistic.