1. Classifying Organisms
6th Grade WebQuest
Introduction
Task
Process
Resources

2. Introduction
Suppose you have only 10 minutes to run into a supermarket to get what you needed to make one of your very favorite meals. Could you do it?
In most supermarkets this would be an easy task. Why?
How would this task change if the items you were looking for were randomly placed around the store?

3. Introduction continued
Just like items are grouped in the grocery store, biologists have organized living things with similarities into groups so that the organisms are easier to study.
This process is called classification.

4. Task Working with a partner, you will:
1. learn how organisms are classified
understand how organisms are given a scientific name
research the distinguishing characteristics of the six kingdoms
As you explore keep the following questions in mind:

5. Task, continued Why do scientists classify?
What are the major levels of classification?
What is binomial nomenclature?
What are the six different kingdoms that are generally recognized by scientists today?
What are the characteristics and some examples of organisms from the six kingdoms?

6. Process Carefully follow the directions for each section.
Answer all questions on the web quest guide and kingdom chart provided.

7. Why Do Scientists Classify?
Classification – grouping/organizing things based on their similarities. Biologists use classification so that organisms are easier to study. Classification also shows relationships between organisms.
The scientific study of how living things are classified is called taxonomy.
On your web quest guide, define classification and explain why biologists classify.

8. Classify Organisms Based on Physical Features
How might you classify a sunflower, a robin, a lizard, a blue jay, a butterfly and a maple tree? Complete the table on your web guide.
Plants
Animals

9. Classify Organisms Based on Physical Features
What characteristics may have been used to group these beetles?
Write answers on your paper. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

10. Levels of Classification
Organisms are grouped by their shared characteristics.
Based on this diagram, which level of classification is the most specific? Answer on your guide.
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

11. Understanding Classification
Imagine a room filled with everybody from the state of Massachusetts.
There may be some people from Westwood. There may be some people from your neighborhood. There may be some people that live on your street. You will be the only one that lives in your house.
Massachusetts
The most general group you belong to is the state. The most specific group you belong to is the house. The more levels you share with others, the more you have in common.
Westwood
Deerfield
Conant St.
#18

12. Levels of Classification
Click on the following link to learn more about the levels of classification. Press play and then you will have to LOGIN and enter the following information:
Username: westwoodps_6 Password: brainpop
Click on play the movie. Return to this web quest when you are done.
On your paper, write the levels of classification in order. Can you come up with a mnemonic device to help you remember the order? Here is mine:
Dangerous Kings Play Chess On Fat Guys Stomachs

13. Binomial Nomenclature
Carl Linnaeus was a naturalist who devised a system of naming organisms. Linnaeus placed organisms in groups based on their observable features. Each organism has a unique, two-part scientific name.
Carl Linnaeus –

14. Scientific Name vs. Common Name
two-part name to each species - binomial nomenclature (e.g. Canis lupus, gray wolf)
The first name, the genus, covers a group of related species
The second name refers to a species within a genus
Written in Latin, since it never changes
Common names can change from country to country

15. Bufo americanus Scientific Names
How many things do you notice about the way the scientific name below is written? Record your answers on your guide.
Bufo americanus

16. Human Classification Homo sapiens Which means wise man.
Using this diagram, what is the scientific name for human beings?
Homo sapiens
Which means wise man.

17. Kingdoms Grouping organisms into kingdoms is based on several factors:
Presence or absence of a nucleus
What are the two vocabulary terms that apply here? Answer on your guide.
Made of one cell or made of many cells
What are the two vocabulary terms that apply here? Answer on your guide.
How organisms get their food.

18. Kingdoms
Six different kingdoms of organisms are generally recognized by scientists today
Eubacteria
Archaea
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals

19. Kingdoms, continued
Go to the following websites to find out the main characteristics of these kingdoms. Fill in the appropriate information on your Kingdoms chart. Feel free to use the textbooks provided or follow the additional links within the page as well.

20. Kingdoms, continued
Now that you have found some good information, follow the link below to hear a brief summary of the 6 Kingdoms
Take the quiz too!

21. STOP
Please look over the web quest guide and the kingdoms chart. Did you fully complete them to the best of your ability?
If your answer is “NO”, then please move back through the web quest to answer all the questions.
If your answer is “YES”, you may continue and explore some of the characteristics of animal and plant phyla.

22. Recognize Examples of Major Animal Phyla
Use the following websites to unscramble major animal phyla and answer the questions that follow. Write the words and answers on a separate sheet of paper.
a r d c i n s n i a __________________
1. List 3 examples of this phyla.
l o l u k s s m ____________________
2. Name the 3 groupings of this phyla.
n e a d i l s n _______________________
3. How many species of this phyla are there?

23. Animal Phyla, cont.
Use the following websites to unscramble major animal phyla and answer the questions that follow. Write the words and answers on paper.
d o a r h r t o p s _________________
4. This phyla is the first animal group to have _______ legs.
m r d e h c i o n e s ____________________
5. This phyla generally have ____ arms and dwell at the bottom of oceans’ levels.
e t a c o h r d s ____________________
6. Animal groups in this phyla include _____, _____, _____, ______and _____.

24. Recognize Examples of Major Plant Phyla
Use the following websites to unscramble major plant phyla and answer the questions that follow. Write the words and answers on paper.
s m o s e s _____________
1. This plant phyla are found in _____ areas and do not grow vertically too high but can spread out to be a yard long.
o f r e s c n i ______________ This plant phyla bears ______, instead of real fruits.
n r s f e _______________ This plant phyla can mostly be found in ________ _______ _________.
w o f l r n i g e a l p s n t _________ ________
4. The four basic parts of this plant phyla are ______, _______, _______, and _______.