Classification of Pasta, Rice, and the Nine Planets

Designed By: Canisha Fletcher       School: Hand Middle 

Grade Level: 8th        Subject: Science 

State Curriculum Standards Objectives: 
1) Use scientific (field guides, charts, periodic table, etc.) and dichotomous keys for classification. (I.A.1b2) 
2) Compare and contrast the earth to other planets in terms of size, composition, and relative distance from the sun, and ability to support life. (II.A.1b) 

Overview: Students will use pasta, rice, and prior knowledge of the nine planets to construct multi-stage classification systems. 

Focus Questions: 1) What does the term classification mean? 2) How is a multi-stage classification system formed? 3) How are the nine planets similar and different? 

Time Frame: 2 - fifty-minute class periods 

Materials / Resources: 
1-box of Spaghetti (small) 
1-box of Multi-colored Macaroni (small) 
1-box of Pasta shells (small) 
1-box of Lasagna noodles (small) 
1- bag of White Rice (small) 
1- bag of Yellow or Brown Rice (small) 
1- box of plastic bags 
Colored Pencils / markers 
Large Light- colored Construction Paper (one per pair) 
Tape / Glue 
Large Index cards (one per pair) 
Notebook Paper (student provided) 
Transparency of Pasta / Rice Multi-stage Classification System Forms A & B 
Transparency of Classification Notes Copies of the Form C (one for each student) 
Science Interactions - Course 3- Glencoe- McGraw (pages 603-616; 671) 
Learning and Assessing Science Process Skills (3rd edition) - Kendall/ Hunt (optional) 

Culminating Assessment: The students will create a Multi-stage classification system of the planets and provide a written rational statement for choice of categories for subsets used. They will be evaluated using a rubric and a peer evaluated will be conducted at the end of the activity. 

Instructional Activities:

Activity One- Classification of Pasta & Rice- 1 class period

1) Prior to the day of activity, make a class set of the pasta / rice combination using the plastic bags. 

2) Instruct the students to copy the Classification Notes in their Science notebook. They will need to refer to the information at a later time and they can use this same type of classification system for the rest of the school term. See Form 1. 

3) Distribute the bags of pasta and rice and Form C. 

4) Instruct the students to observe the set of objects and think of similarities and differences. They students can write their observations on paper or make a mental note. 

5) Inform the students that the class will construct a multi-stage classification system together. Fill in the 1st blank classification on Form C. The teacher will use Form A and reveal one line at a time. 

6) While the students are filling in the system, remind them to notice the construction- usage of the word NOT and only one object in each cell. 

7) Instruct the students to look at the objects and review their list of similarities and differences. Place Form B on the overhead. Select 5 students to offer suggestions to complete Form B. The students should fill in the second system. 

8) The students will start Activity 2 depending on the amount of time left in class. See Activity 2 for explanation.

Activity 2 - Planet Multi-stage Classification System- 1 class period

1) Prior to the starting the activity, organize the materials (construction paper, ruler/straight edge, tape/glue, index cards, and colored pencils/markers) in a designated area. 

2) Students will work in pairs for this activity. Depending on the time of year (beginning, middle, end of the school year), the teacher may/may not select the pairs. Optional: Give the pairs a time limit of 15-20 minutes. 

3) The pairs will use their prior knowledge (might do a brain storming graphic organizer) of the nine planets and the Science book to create a multi-stage classification system with 1set and 5 subsets and one paragraph rational statement (why they chose the sets and sub-sets). They should use their notes for reference. 

4) Before the pairs begin, the Materials person should retrieve the materials from the designated area. Encourage the pairs to make a Rough Draft before using the construction paper. 

5) The teacher should monitor the progress of the groups. Make sure both students are actively participating and contributing suggestion. Remind the pairs to attach the rational to the construction paper. 

6) Once all of the pairs have completed the Final Product, allow the pairs to share their multi-stage classification systems and rational statements. 

7) Display the systems in the hallway. Keep several systems to exhibit during Open House and/or PTO meetings.

Extension: Use the Learning & Assessing Basic Process Skills Book p.27 for: 

1) Individual Assessment 

2) Homework Assignment

Form 1: Notes 

Classification

*In order for society to comprehend the overwhelming number of objects, events, and living things in the world and galaxy, it is necessary to impose some kind of order. 

*One must observe similarities, difference, and interrelationships, and group the objects accordingly to suit some purpose. 

*Basic Requirements: 

+ + Must have a Useful Purpose 
- ex: Classified Section of the Newspaper - To relay information about Job Listings 

2 Types of Classification Systems 

1) Binary Classification System 
- Based on Observable Properties
 - The set of objects is divided into two subsets on the basis of whether each object HAS or DOES NOT HAVE a particular property. 
- Ex 1a: Living Things (Animals and Plants)

Ex 2: Sports (Football, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming, and Golf)

Ex 3: Foods (Beef, Strawberries, Chicken, Peaches, Fish, and Apples)

* 2 students will volunteer their suggestions. *

2) Multi-stage Classification System 
- Performing a binary classification on a set of objects and then again on each of the subsets will result in a classification system consisting of layers or stages.
 - Main goal: End result will only have ONE event / object in a cell

Ex 1b: Living Things (Animals and Plants)

Form A - Need to Enlarge

Multi-stage Classification System 
Pasta and Rice

Form B - Need to Enlarge

Form C - Make two copies for the students

Multi-Stage Classification System

Attachment: Rubric 

Rubric- Planet Multi-stage Classification System 

Attachment: Rubric continued

Rubric- Planet Multi-stage Classification System 

Teacher Comments:

 *** Failure to Turn in Rubric on Presentation Day will result 
in a reduction of 10 points. **