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  • Classifying Water

    Book Chapter |

    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 |

    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 |

    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 |

    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 |

    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 |

    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 |

  • Classifying Rocks

    Collection |

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

  • Sort and Classify

    Blog Post |

    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…

  • Rocks: collecting and classifying

    Blog Post |

    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…

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