Tab Top Classification

Objective: The student will observe differences in tab tops.

Problem: How do scientist classify living and non -living things?

Materials:

A generous supply of aluminum tab tops (teachers: collect all different types of tab tops from soft drink cans, pet food cans, small tuna cans, and other processed meat cans. Students can help bring in tap tops.)

Procedure:

A. Work in teams of 3-4 students.

B. Count the tab tops in your supply. Record here:______________________

C. Work in your team to determine how you can sort your tab tops into TWO (only 2) piles. Observe the characteristics of the two piles. Think up names for the two piles. Record the names of your piles here:

1____________________________________

2.____________________________________

D. Now sort your supply of tab tops into THREE (only 3) piles. Names for your piles this time are:

1.____________________________________

2.____________________________________

3.____________________________________

E. Repeat the sorting process to result in FOUR piles, named:

1.____________________________________

2.____________________________________

3. ____________________________________

4._____________________________________

F. Lastly, determine how you can sort your tab tops into as many different piles as your team agrees upon, each pile having different characteristics. How many different piles (higher that four) did your team divide your tab tops? What characteristics did each group have?

Results: (Write your short answer responses below each question.)

1. How did your team do at getting started on the task?

2. What characteristics of the tab tops were FIRST mentioned in your team?

3. What skills did you find yourself using during this sorting activity?

4. What characteristic did a team member identify which you did not think of right away?

Conclusion: (Write your answers in complete sentences.)

1. Tell how tab tops may be used to represent living organisms in nature.

2. What characteristics do the tab tops have which make them good for a sorting activity like this?

3. Tell how you think scientists decide ways to classify living and nonliving things.

4. Tell why it is important to be able to classify living and nonliving organisms.

Intro to Science 6 > Observation Labs > Tab Tops Classification 1