This lesson plan introduces students to the topics of biological classification, evolution, taxonomy, and phylogenetics. Students develop their own classification system for a group of common items (shoes, coins, buttons, keys, are just a few options!) and group the items using their own classification rules that they develop. Students learn about previous biological classification systems and why they are no longer used, and how living things are currently organized. Students will learn about Charles Darwin's contributions to the field of Biology and the principle of evolution. The lesson assessment is a classroom zoo where students conduct research on an animals and create a zoo exhibit to display what they've learned.
