{"id":4728,"date":"2025-07-30T09:34:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T09:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?p=4728"},"modified":"2026-07-22T15:48:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:48:41","slug":"5-engaging-ways-to-teach-classification-of-living-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/5-engaging-ways-to-teach-classification-of-living-things\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Engaging Ways to Teach Classification of Living Things"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4728\" class=\"elementor elementor-4728\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef3dc91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef3dc91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-081d7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"081d7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Teach Classification of Living Things in Middle School\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7090152 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7090152\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee0c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44ee0c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can we make taxonomy fun? For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">middle schoolers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, sorting and grouping comes naturally, so it\u2019s the perfect time to introduce biological classification. Teaching the classification of living things not only helps students organize the diversity of life but also builds foundational biology knowledge.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18990\/classification-of-living-things\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s Classification of Living Things video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers a visual introduction to domains, kingdoms, and the purpose of taxonomy. Below are five fun ways to help students grasp this important concept through active, student-centered learning.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e308475 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e308475\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aed858a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aed858a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The 5 Best Ways to Teach Classification (with Student-Friendly Tools)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8aa59f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8aa59f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1dcc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e1dcc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>1. Start with Sorting Everyday Objects<\/b><\/h3><p><b>Why it works:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classification becomes less abstract when students begin with familiar items. Let them sort buttons, fruit, or classroom supplies into categories and explain their logic.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then connect it to biology:<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explain how scientists do the same thing, they sort organisms based on traits. This activity introduces the concept of biological classification in a way that feels familiar and logical.\u00a0<\/span><b><br \/><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a657b98 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a657b98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0b5642 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e0b5642\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Introduce the 7 Taxonomic Levels with a Mnemonic\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a691d6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a691d6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bfad8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bfad8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>How to do it:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Break down the classification system: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Use a mnemonic:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try \u2018Dear King Philip Came Over For Great Spaghetti.\u2019<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, use animals your students know like lions or dogs to trace classification from kingdom to species. The more relatable the example, the better!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aba150d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aba150d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a03b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a03b32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Create a Classification Card Sort Game\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b2cf0b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3b2cf0b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fe7b31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fe7b31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Make it interactive:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepare cards showing a mix of organisms (real or invented). Each card should include clues: Is it unicellular? Does it eat or produce food? Is it prokaryotic or eukaryotic?<\/span><\/p><p><b>Activity:<\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students work in groups to place the cards into the correct kingdoms. This hands-on game reinforces how scientists determine classification based on shared characteristics.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-320f98c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"320f98c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c53539f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c53539f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Try a Dichotomous Key Scavenger Hunt\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cb18b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0cb18b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e8f445 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e8f445\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Why it\u2019s effective:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dichotomous key teaches students to observe, analyze, and decide.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activity idea:<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give each team a set of leaves, shells, or toy animals and a simple field guide. They\u2019ll follow yes\/no questions to identify the specimens. For a creative twist, let students build their own dichotomous key using objects from the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-326c7c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"326c7c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Watch a Visual Guide to Classification\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fa5f4e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0fa5f4e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4789e6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4789e6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Why it works:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Visuals simplify complex topics. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18990\/classification-of-living-things\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s Classification of Living Things video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> illustrates how living organisms are grouped and why classification is important.<\/span><\/p><p><b>How to use it in class:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pause during the video to quiz students or ask them to note key characteristics of each kingdom. Use it as a launch point for a classroom discussion or game.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-159fe6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"159fe6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bonus Activity: Design a New Species\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6cca13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6cca13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Creative extension:<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask students to invent a brand-new organism. They must describe its traits and determine where it fits in the classification system\u2014from domain to species.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This activity builds understanding of taxonomy while encouraging imagination and synthesis of knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aa8bf0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2aa8bf0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bee98a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bee98a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ: Classification of Living Things\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6af33e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6af33e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6a1f6d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-accordion\" data-id=\"c6a1f6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:400}\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >\n        <div class=\"elementskit-accordion accoedion-primary\" id=\"accordion-6a9e777e86067\">\n\n            \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card active\">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-0-c6a1f6d\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-a6e33056a9e777e86067\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-a6e33056a9e777e86067\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-a6e33056a9e777e86067\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">What are the 7 levels of classification?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-a6e33056a9e777e86067\" class=\" show collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-0-c6a1f6d\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a9e777e86067\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-1-c6a1f6d\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-ed795eb6a9e777e86067\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-ed795eb6a9e777e86067\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-ed795eb6a9e777e86067\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">How do you teach classification in middle school?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-ed795eb6a9e777e86067\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-1-c6a1f6d\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a9e777e86067\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use sorting games, mnemonic devices, hands-on keys, and visual videos like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/18990\/classification-of-living-things\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">JoVE\u2019s to make classification concrete and fun.<\/span><\/a><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-2-c6a1f6d\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-20073e56a9e777e86067\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-20073e56a9e777e86067\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-20073e56a9e777e86067\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">Why is classification important in science?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-20073e56a9e777e86067\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-2-c6a1f6d\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a9e777e86067\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It helps scientists organize living things, understand relationships, and communicate clearly about species.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                \n                <div class=\"elementskit-card \">\n                    <div class=\"elementskit-card-header\" id=\"primaryHeading-3-c6a1f6d\">\n                        <a href=\"#collapse-c3bd8ce6a9e777e86067\" class=\"ekit-accordion--toggler elementskit-btn-link collapsed\" data-ekit-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#Collapse-c3bd8ce6a9e777e86067\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"Collapse-c3bd8ce6a9e777e86067\">\n                            \n                            <span class=\"ekit-accordion-title\">What\u2019s a fun classification activity for students?<\/span>\n\n                            \n                                <div class=\"ekit_accordion_icon_group\">\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_normal_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Normal Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-plus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ekit_accordion_active_icon\">\n                                        <!-- Active Icon -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"icon icon-minus\"><\/i>                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n\n                            \n                                                    <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div id=\"Collapse-c3bd8ce6a9e777e86067\" class=\" collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"primaryHeading-3-c6a1f6d\" data-parent=\"#accordion-6a9e777e86067\">\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-card-body ekit-accordion--content\">\n                            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Try a dichotomous key scavenger hunt or a card sorting game to bring taxonomy to life.<\/span><\/p>                        <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n\n                <\/div><!-- .elementskit-card END -->\n\n                                        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42b3ba7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42b3ba7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aea8fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0aea8fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion: Make Classification Click\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3620b20 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3620b20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2f40bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2f40bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By breaking classification down into engaging activities, relatable examples, and visual resources, you can make taxonomy one of your students\u2019 favorite life science lessons.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/share.hsforms.com\/1FyaUdqz3T3yuF-IuUZXDfwc2eur\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bring classification to life \u2013 use JoVE\u2019s interactive science videos. Start your free trial to see your students get excited about biology!<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s science video library <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">starts at just $2 per student*. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/viewmail.jove.com\/hubfs\/K12%20Schools\/K12%20Funding%20Resources%20Flyer_2025.pdf?utm_campaign=14083630-K12_Q2_2025_Newsletter_June%20Edition&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_YoAQE_jZOxP2S56v0c7u1QwdSYCTxqWB2w5XzInlBixw8VciDctvVLnjRYMcQLUwoIc0yUBDE6qXfTZ_fdpwkm9LHPA&amp;_hsmi=2&amp;utm_content=2&amp;utm_source=hs_email\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore funding options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Pricing based on 1,500 students<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Teach Classification of Living Things in Middle School How can we make taxonomy fun? For middle schoolers, sorting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngss-standards"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Classification of Living Things Classroom Guide | JoVE K12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Teach classification of living things with JoVE K12 resources that help students organize organisms, use taxonomy terms, and compare traits across lessons.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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