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• Discuss classification with students in regards to Math.
  
• Ask students what we mean by classification and why we classify things. For example, we classify things in groups to make it easier for us to count and remember.
  
• Explain that we classify objects to make them easy to find, identify, talk about, and study.

• Explain to students that today we use a system that was developed by the Carolus Linnaeus.
  
• Linnaeus wanted to separate animals and plants according to physical similarities.
  
• Explain that Linnaeus's system classified plants and animals on seven levels, using Latin and Greek words.
  Kingdom
  Phylum
  Class
  Order
  Family
  Genus
  Species
• Help the students along with a few examples of how exactly you would classify an animal in the seven step classification system. For example:
  
  

  Human (Homo sapiens)
  Kingdom	Animalia
  Phylum	Chordata
  Subphylum	Vertebrata
  Class	Mammalia
  Subclass	Eutheria
  Order	Primates
  Suborder	Haplorhini
  Family	Hominidae
  Genus	Homo
  Species	sapiens

  
  
• Tell students that we refer to what they classified using just two names -- the genus and species names. Therefore, the scientific name for a human is "Homo sapiens."
  
• Explain that because just two names are used, the system is known as the binomial (two names) system of nomenclature (naming).
  
• Have students, using their text book; classify common animals using Linnaeus's system.
  
• Instruct each student to list on the chalkboard three or four scientific names he or she has found and the common names of the animals they identify.

• Divide your class into groups and have them devise their own system of classifying everyday objects around the room. Students should use at least four levels of classification, but they may use as many more levels as they find necessary. They should end up with a two-part name for each of several objects in the room. Advise students to use Linnaeus's system as a model, starting out with one classification level that divides all the objects in the room into two major categories. For example, the two "phyla" could be "natural" (made of natural materials) and "artificial" (made of artificial materials); or "useful" and "decorative." The two major categories combined should include all objects in the room, and the final "genus" and "species" names should exclude all objects but the one being identified. (Students may use descriptive phrases rather than single words, and, of course, they should not be required to use Greek or Latin terms.)

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