Today we worked with classifications and how dichotomous keys help us find where things are located.

We started off by working with Jelly Bellies and a key to help us determine the flavors based on the characteristics of each bean. Within the selection there were also a few that didn’t fit into the key! It was the 6th graders job to figure out where it might go. If they couldn’t fit it in, they would change the key a bit to make it fit. After they did this, they got to taste these new ‘species’… some of them good and some of them, not so good!  For any of you out there who have read Harry Potter and know of Berttie Botts Every Flavor Beans, you are aware that they are exactly that…EVERY flavor!  I threw some of those in there to mix up the key. They loved it!

We learned a lot today about classification and its importance for scientists!

What are things in your life that you classify?