A new trimester is upon us! Our science topic for this trimester will be animal classifications and habitats. To get us started on our study of animal classifications this trimester, first graders needed to learn what the word classification means. We started by learning some synonyms and related words, including sort, organize and category. We discussed how we use sorting all the time to help us organize ideas and things. First graders noticed that we do this with our STEM bins, spelling words (we separate digraphs from vowel teams, etc.), school supplies, and student ages. Students learned that when we give each different group of items or ideas it’s own name, it is called a classification. We created a student-friendly definition for the word as a class:

Classifications are groups of things that are alike in some way.

To practice classifying items, students separated into partners and were given a bag of miscellaneous items. Working with their partner, they grouped the items into categories based on a chosen characteristic such as size, color, shape or function. After sorting, students used sticky notes to give each classification a name such as “Large Items”, “Items with Wheels”, etc.

Now that first graders know the word classification, we will soon begin exploring six classifications of creatures – mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.