Which Plant is Which?

Students will first go on a scavenger hunt around the schoolyard looking for observable plant characteristics. Then students will create a poster for a plant they found with a detailed sketch and description to see if the other students can find their plant based on the observable plant characteristics described. Next, students will model the creation of a dichotomous key using their shoes before they sort plants by a dichotomous key.

Concepts: Plant Classification

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Essential Questions

  • How can we classify organisms into groups?

Standards Addressed

  • S5L1. Students will classify organisms into groups and relate how the determined the groups with how and why scientists use classification.
    • b. Demonstrate how plants are sorted into groups.

Explorations

image of colorful pansies

Modeling the Creation of a Dichotomous Key
kids looking at trees with binoculars

Searching for Observable Plant Characteristics
Young girl smelling flower with her friends

Searching for Secret Specimens
hand moving through field of flowers

Sorting Plants by the Creation of a Dichotomous Key

Creating a School Field Guide