If conducting the lesson outdoors, investigate the natural area to locate areas students
may find organisms. If staying inside for the lesson, prepare 8–10 cards with pictures of
various organisms for each group of students. Be sure to include organisms from all six
kingdoms. Number the cards for quick checking for accuracy. Place the cards in a plastic
bag or envelope.
2. Give students the handouts “Domains and Kingdoms” and “Key to the Kingdoms of Life.”
Read and discuss the handouts.
3. Take students to the natural area so they may begin their observations and classification,
or give each group of students a set of cards. Have students sort their organism cards first
according to domain, and then according to kingdom. Have them record on the “Data
Sheet” handout the appropriate domain, kingdom, and organism for each card.
4. When students are naming the organisms on the “Data Sheet,” introduce the concept of
binomial nomenclature. Tell students that every living organism has a two-part scientific
name, made up of the genus name and the species name.