Taxonomic Groupings

Assistive/Instructional Technology Lesson

Samuel Son

George Mason University

Lesson Plan

Animal Classification (Taxonomy)

Using mnemonics the student will learn all seven animal taxonomic groupings

Animals are classified in a variety of ways. This helps scientists to study the relationships in animal groups and to see the whole animal family tree as it has developed through time. The study of animal classification is called taxonomy.

* Kingdom - There are two basic kingdoms, the plant and animal kingdoms.

* Phylum - Within the plant and animal kingdoms are big groupings called phylum or

   phyla. Animals are grouped into phyla that have broad similar characteristics.

* Classes - These are a finer division of phyla.

* Orders - These are divisions of classes.

* Families - These are divisions of orders.

* Genera - These are the divisions of families.

* Species - These are the divisions of genera.

1.      Teacher will provide directed instruction using PowerPoint presentation.

2.      The PowerPoint will be over the biological classification of animals.

3.      Main ideas and key vocabulary terms will be gone over.

4.      At the end of the PowerPoint presentation the instructor will pause and ask if there are any questions.

5.      Students will be broken up into groups of at least 2.

6.      After they have all settled into their work area, a note card with a KPCOFGS acronym will be passed out.

7.      Each of the student groupings will get a different acronym. The students may come with their own if it is appropriate

8.      The students will then use the acronym to create a photo story using Microsoft Photo Story.

9.      The will need to be able to go online or take digital photos to upload the images on photo story.

10. With microphones students can add narration.

11. After the students have finished, they will present their photo story.

12. The instructor then can guide the students to creating a blog with all their photo stories.

1.      Presentation Projector

3.      At least 5 note cards with different KPCOFGS acronyms written on them

4.      Microsoft Photo Story

5.      Computers so the students can access Microsoft Photo Story

6.      Digital Camera (optional)

7.      Microphone (optional)

            Using photo story, the student can add their own personal flair to taxonomic groupings. The use of acronyms and preparation of a photo story slide show can possibly help the students learn the groupings. When working with students with emotional disturbance, it is important to find activities that interest them. Engaging the student with their interests is crucial. Purposefully the lesson took a multimodal approach to instruction. First there was a concise PowerPoint presentation and then there was an interactive activity in groups.

For the student with cognitive disabilities, simpler words can be used for the PowerPoint presentation and extra time can be provided for the completion of the project. For the group portion of the lesson, the cognitively impaired child could be paired with a student who is more capable. The instructor can also work with the students’ group, for more individualize instruction.

For the PowerPoint presentation portion of the lesson, only listening is required. Note taking is not required but if the student wants, printouts of the PowerPoint can be provided. The instructor should always be open allowing recording devices as well. For the group portion of the lesson, the student will be in a group so work can be divided matching the group members’ abilities.

A lot of visuals were used in the lesson, but there were auditory parts as well. During the PowerPoint portion of the lesson you just listen, if you cannot listen then the student can lip read or printouts of the presentation will be given. An interpreter would be necessary. For the photo story lesson, the student with visual impairment can narrate the slide show and the child with auditory impairment can look for pictures.

The instruction can be provided in a variety of ways. If the problem with communication is auditory, then write the instructions down. If the problem is visual then carefully orate the instructions for the child. If the student is having trouble expressing themselves, then the student can be allowed to express through text messaging, pictographs, and other alternative media.           

The student with LD, the instructor must know the deficit the student has and individualize the lesson plan accordingly. There are introverted and extroverted types of ED. For the introverts the computer-based activity allows for the chance of group work. Group work may not be preferred for the introvert. Working in the group will be encouraged but that student should always have the choice to work on their own. For the extrovert, that student may excel in group work. Natural leadership characteristics and being able to present in front of class may be an incentive for that particular student.

Computer-Based Activity

Sample Photo Story

            The purpose of using Photo Story was to find an innovative way of teaching taxonomic groupings. As we learned in class, the students will get more involved when the instruction includes their interests. The project means more to the child and the child will feel more accomplished. The creativity of children is limitless and assignments such as the present foster imagination.

The artifact was a sample Photo Story done by the instructor. It is a finished example of what is expected from the students. The person creating the Photo Study first has to find the pictures or take their own with a digital camera. A slide show was created, and then narrations were added. After all the pictures are compiled, the software converted everything to a video file. This assignment benefits children with disabilities, because it limits pencil and paper work. The only thing the child needs is a computer with the FREE photo story software, internet access, maybe a camera and children’s healthy imaginations. The assignment was not that difficult either.

            Creating the artifact was entertaining and pleasant. It was fun looking for images on the internet and creating the slideshow. The photo story software was very user-friendly and streamlined. You could crop your picture and even add effects. Creating narration is simple, you just need a microphone. The most difficult part was looking for the images that I enjoyed the most. The internet is a vast source and you can get buried in all the media. For this lesson to be used in the classroom, time has to be managed effectively. Creating the artifact for me took around twenty minutes. If the instructor is plans to use this lesson, time has to be allotted generously. Fifteen minutes for the PowerPoint lecture, thirty minutes for the Photo Story activity, and fifteen minutes for the presentations. Overall this lesson would be a very memorable lesson.

Acronym Examples

Kids                 Kingdom
Playing             Phylum
Catch               Class
On                   Order
Freeways         Family
Get                   Genus
Smashed          Species

Keep                Kingdom
Pond                Phylum
Clean               Class
Or                    Order
Frogs                Family
Get                   Genus
Sick                 Species

Kings               Kingdom
Play                 Phylum
Chess               Class
On                   Order
Fine                 Family
Green               Genus
Sand                Species

King                 Kingdom
Philip               Phylum
Could               Class
Only                Order
Find                 Family
Good               Genus
Students           Species

King                 Kingdom
Philip               Phylum
Called              Class
Out                  Order
Fire                  Family
Get                   Genus
Someone          Species