Friday, September 4, 2009

8th Grade Dichotomous Lab #1

The 8th grade students are being introduced to and learning how to use the dichotomous keys in science class as a group effort.













The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to the use of dichotomous keys to identify unknown specimens. Keys are developed by using similarities and differences in characteristics or traits. Characteristics named in keys may be physical, behavioral, and even biochemical. The main value of a classification system is that it provides an organized study of these living and non-living things.