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  • Classifying Water

    Book Chapter | March 2019

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about elements and compounds. It is designed to find out how students classify a common substance, water. The probe is best used with students in grades…

  • Classifying Birds in the United States

    Book Chapter | November 2012

    The purpose of the activity, in this chapter, is to help students understand (1) what counts as a species in the field of biology, (2) some of the various definitions for species that can be used by biologists, and (3)…

  • Classifying Classification

    Journal Article | February 2009

    This article describes the experience of a group of first-grade teachers as they tackled the science process of classification, a targeted learning objective for the first grade. While the two-year process was not easy…

  • Classifying Microorganisms

    Journal Article | December 2001

    Students sample air at their school and generate ideas about how to classify the microorganisms they observe. This investigative, hands-on laboratory activity allows students to gain an awareness of science from a…

  • Idea Bank: Engaging Students in Classifying Matter

    Journal Article | September 2012

    The Idea Bank provides tips and techniques for creative teaching, in about 1,000 words. This month’s Idea Bank provides an activity that engages students while teaching them physical and chemical properties and changes.

  • Science 101: Why do we classify things in science?

    Journal Article | December 2007

    Each year, in thousands of classrooms across the country, students classify animals, rocks, and other things as part of their science studies. Each year, thousands of students no doubt ask, “Why in the heck are we doing…

  • Classifying Rocks

    Collection | March 2016

    GLE 0207.7.2 Describe rocks according to their origin, size, shape, texture, and color.

  • Sort and Classify

    Blog Post | September 2019

    I am a preservice teacher planning some lessons on how to group plants and animals according to observable features. I am struggling to think of different activities. — V ., Maryland Classifying living things has…

  • Classifying Rocks

    Collection | April 2020

  • Rocks: collecting and classifying

    Blog Post | June 2009

    On the playground two sisters collected rocks and set them on a bench where they grouped them by size. When I asked, “What kind of rock is that?” one said, “A triangle” referring to its outer shape. They also had a…

  • Classifying Animals into Major Groups

    Collection | March 2017

    Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics…

  • Science Objects for Classifying Objects lesson plan.

    Collection | April 2020

  • Discovering Science: classifying and categorizing (matter, grades 2-3)

    Blog Post | August 2013

    Key critical thinking skills can be easily incorporated into science lessons. And you can keep the “matter” of teaching science exciting, fun, and relevant! NSTA’s “Discovering Science” lesson on…

  • Science Sampler: Bushwhacking for Bones

    Journal Article | January 2004

    An Earthwatch Institute Moose and Wolves Expedition to Isle Royale in Lake Superior was an excellent professional development opportunity in which the author built camaraderie with fellow teachers and created a predator…

  • Concept-Based Probes: The Justified List

    Journal Article | July 2021

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