Dichotomous Key – Pasta Plankton

Activity Summary
Students will create dichotomous keys to identify different species of plankton (pasta) that were found in the Ogeechee River after the fish kill. The Pamishan Creatures warm-up will give the students a good idea of how to break organisms up into two parts; based on distinctive morphological traits. Students will distinguish between the morphological traits of different types of pasta in an attempt to identify them. After they have constructed their dichotomous keys other students can attempt to identify their pasta using the key.

Grade Levels
9-12

Learning Objectives
1. Separate organisms based on morphological traits
2. Create dichotomous keys using different kinds of pasta
3. Categorize pasta by different shapes and sizes

Lesson Materials (view or download)
Lesson Plan

Keywords
dichotomous key, classification, morphology

Last updated: 3/9/2015