This book is a great introduction to classification.\u00a0 In a short 39 pages this book covers the traditional 5 kingdoms.\u00a0 On a two page spread the book gives a colorful overview of each kingdom.\u00a0 There is a brief description of the kingdom along with examples and a graphic that depicts the size of that kingdom compared to the remaining kingdoms.\u00a0 The book breaks down the animal kingdom into invertebrates and vertebrates and the five classes of vertebrates.<\/p>\n The Animal Kingdom: A Guide to Vertebrate Classification and Biodiversity This book is 45 pages full of great information.\u00a0 But don’t let the size deter you.\u00a0 The introduction to each class of vertebrates contains a bulleted box that lists the characteristics of that vertebrate.\u00a0 You can quickly cover the basics by looking at the pictures and bulleted boxes.\u00a0 This book also contains a great introduction to what is a living thing and classification.\u00a0 Herbivores, carnivores and the human impact on the animal kingdom are also briefly covered. Of all the different kinds of invertebrates, insects are the class we are all familiar with.\u00a0 This book quickly describes the characteristics of insects and then devotes a page to each characteristic.\u00a0 Photographer Paul Davidson provides amazing close-up photos of different types of insects. Just like the cover, this book is filled with rich, colorful illustrations of amphibians.\u00a0 The text is easy to read and brief.\u00a0 Throughout the book are inserts with additional information and trivia facts.\u00a0 At the end of the book is a scientific classification chart and glossary.\u00a0 If you like this book, then you may like one of the other five that is in the series.<\/p>\n In this fictional story, a young boy and his mother go to the beach in the middle of the night to see horseshoe crabs spawning.\u00a0 This book would be a great way to introduce invertebrates to students.\u00a0 After reading the story, students can discuss the characteristics of invertebrates and arachnids and how they are mentioned in the story.\u00a0 The book also contains a fact sheet about horseshoe crabs.<\/p>\n Web sites for kids:<\/strong><\/p>\n Animal Classification<\/a>.\u00a0 This site offers a brief description of the characteristics of mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds.\u00a0 The descriptions are four to six bulleted points that are done colorfully and with pictures.\u00a0 There is a Classification Game that is an excellent review of the different characteristics of the animals discussed.<\/p>\n Classifying Critters<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 At this web site, there is a brief explanation of how scientists classify living things and an interactive quiz on vertebrates.\u00a0 The quiz shows you a picture of one animal and asks that you identify an animal that would be in the same category as the first.\u00a0 After you identify the correct animal, you are then given a multiple choice question.\u00a0 The question is, what characteristics do these animals have in common?<\/p>\n Plant and Animal Differences<\/a>.\u00a0 To play this game you must quickly sort and drag the items to the correct box.\u00a0 As the items go by on a conveyor belt you must sort them by bird, mammal, insect, or plant.<\/a><\/p>\n A Touch of Class game<\/a>.\u00a0 In this game you are given a grid with 16 shadow pictures of living things. You are asked to click the pictures that correspond with the statement at the top of the page.\u00a0 Some examples of statements are: “things that have a tail” or “things that have a backbone.”<\/p>\n Video<\/a>. Select the video titled “Form and Function.”\u00a0 This video discusses how scientists look at animal’s structure and behavior when comparing them.\u00a0 After watching this video, viewers should have a better understanding of how animals that look similar can be classified differently.<\/p>\n Teacher Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lesson plan<\/a>.\u00a0 Science NetLinks offers a two-part lesson plan on classification.\u00a0 In addition to the lesson plans, the site also discusses the misconceptions and the difficultly that most students have in understanding classification. This site also offers assessment and extension activities.<\/p>\n Introducing Classification<\/a>.\u00a0 This site offers a brief explanation and history of classification along with descriptions of the 5 kingdoms and examples.\u00a0 There is also a section that compares the kingdoms and an activity for students that can be printed.<\/p>\n Teacher overview<\/a>.\u00a0 At this site educators can review the characteristics of the main kingdoms.\u00a0 The kingdoms are then broken down into further subgroups and examples of each are given.\u00a0\u00a0 Click on “Printable Worksheets” and you will find a 10 question assessment based on the information found on this site.<\/p>\n Biology4Kids.com<\/a>. This link takes you to a slide show about classification and discusses the three domains.\u00a0 Look around the site and you will find great pictures and quizzes that can be used.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scientist have tried to classify living organisms into groups since Aristotle’s time.\u00a0 Over time this classification system has changed and evolved as we have learned more about organisms.\u00a0 Advances in technology have fueled many of these changes.\u00a0 Scientist are now … Continue reading ![](\"http:\/\/images.amazon.com\/images\/P\/1553376692.01._SY190_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg\")
Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth,
\nBy Rochelle Strauss and illustrated by Margot Thompson <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBy Kate Whyman<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"bug\"](\"https:\/\/images.barnesandnoble.com\/images\/20230000\/20230907.jpg\")
Bugs Up Close<\/a>
\nBy Diane Swanson and Photographed by Paul Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"book\"](\"https:\/\/images.barnesandnoble.com\/images\/43310000\/43314953.JPG\")
Amphibians: Water-t0-Land Animals
\nBy Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Kristin Kest<\/a><\/p>\n![\"crab\"](\"https:\/\/images.barnesandnoble.com\/images\/12000000\/12005683.jpg\")
\u00a0 Crab Moon
\nBy Ruth Horowitz and illustrated by Kate Kiesler<\/a><\/p>\n