Dichotomous+Key

__**Intro to dichotomous key**__: Have students answer the question "What is a characteristic?" Have them respond in their notebooks.


 * 1) 2 Have students give two examples of a characteristic
 * 2) 3 Show students a toy dinosaur and have them list two characteristics

Have a few students share written responses; discuss key terms such as "describe", "trait", Discuss student examples pointing out errors and positive points

Each table will receive a model dinosaur to list ten characteristics. (Be sure to remind students to be specific and use details with their characteristics)

__**Practice with creating:**__ Have eight students take off their left shoes (Try to collect a variety) and place them on the front table Discuss unique characteristics of shoes Create a tree with paired statements (Circle the end of the chain) modeling with document camera

__**Group Practice:**__ Give each team a piece of poster board and 10 items (rocks, dinosaurs, leaves, animals, shells etc.) Students work to create a tree that help classify items based on characteristics Once poster is created, students should take photo and [|upload] to Edmodo

__**Reflection/Discussion**__: Place 2-3 notebook examples under Elmo and discuss elements of the key (point out any descriptors that are unclear or could change over time such as color of leaves or size of the rock sample)

Have students use the discussion to write a reflection in their notebooks "How can you improve your key to help identify items? more clear? more scientific?

__**Assessment**__: Norno assessment (six items; model one with students) May have to discuss a few terms such as "tuft of hair" Be sure to discuss how to write genius and species names