Kingdoms of Life

Because the classification of living things is a dynamic, ever-changing process, it can be challenging for educators to stay current with scientific thought. Take a look at this overview for educators of the three domains and six kingdoms model, with additional background information on cell structure, protists, bacteria, fungi, archaea, plants, and animals.

Crash Course Biology from PBS Learning Media offers a series of entertaining and informative 12- minute videos that will equip you with background information for teaching life sciences. Begin with the video "Taxonomy: Life's Filing System." Follow with "Eukaryopolis: The City of Animal Cells," "Plant Cells," "Fungi: Death Becomes Them," and "Old & Odd: Archaea, Bacteria, & Protists."

Photographs, useful graphics, and clear text are featured in this excellent Powerpoint presentation on the 6 Kingdoms of Life, designed for grades 5 and up. Very useful for teacher background and for class discussion.

Ask A Biologist from Arizona State University is a great resource for teachers, with stories, games, and activities on a variety of life-science topics. Take a look at its Microbes and Bacteria sections, which include a comic story that students can read or act out, coloring pages and worksheets, background information, quizzes, and tips for teachers. The section on Cells, Building Blocks of Life, contains handouts on animal and plant cells and a downloadable slideshow.

The Amoeba Sisters videos, created by science teachers, are a fun collection for classroom use in grades 4 and up. Clever graphics and diagrams make the Classification video very engaging to students. Others to consider are "Introduction to Cells," "Characteristics of Life," and "Bacteria: The Good, The Bad, The Kinda Gross."

PBS Learning Media offers a complete lesson plan for elementary teachers, Living Vs. NonLiving. Critical thinking is encouraged as characteristics of living things are explored. Do all living things move? Do any nonliving things move? Can nonliving things grow? Do all living things eat? This worksheet might help.

Animal Classification, also from PBS Learning Media, helps students think about common characteristics and ways of grouping living things. It includes support materials and a game that can be played on your interactive whiteboard.

This Classification of Kingdoms of Life lesson plan is designed for grades 5-7.

Students create their own Six Kingdoms Brochure in this classroom activity.

To demonstrate their understanding of cells and classification, middle-school students use their computer skills to compile an electronic portfolio of assessments that include presentations, dioramas, terrariums, and more.

BrainPop Educators provide this Six Kingdoms video and Diversity of Life Lesson Plan.

The Human Microbiome is a fascinating place, and so is this website from University of Utah. Teaching ideas include culturing microbes from swabs of students' skin.

In this classroom activity, students join the Microbe Mania Association and submit their models to the Museum of Microbes.

• Grow Your Own Bacteria
• Microscopic Creatures in Pond Water A Virtual Pond Dip
• Let the Germs Begin (teacher's guide)
• Watch A Fungus At Its Dinner Time