Cladogram & Dichotomous Key
This activity will help students interpret cladograms and understand how to create and use dichotomous keys. Using blank cladograms, students will show the relationships between various animals, based on shared defined characteristic. They will then use their completed cladograms to fill in the blanks on a dichotomous key.
Materials:
How this activity was adapted...
Creating dichotomous keys is a popular high school activity. I’ve combined this activity with an exercise in which students construct a cladogram. I’ve adapted this activity in a couple of ways for ELL students. I’ve color-coded the tree and defining characteristic cards to make it a little easier to interpret. I’ve also provided boxes for the characteristics and animals on the cladogram. On the animal and defining characteristic cards pictures and definitions of difficult terms are provided.
The dichotomous key has also been adapted for ELL students. Using information from their phylogenetic tree, students must fill in the blanks on the key provided. This task is designed to be done in small groups of 2-4 students. This will provide scaffolding opportunities for ELL students and allow them to work and discuss their ideas with students who speak English more proficiently. This activity should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The dichotomous key has also been adapted for ELL students. Using information from their phylogenetic tree, students must fill in the blanks on the key provided. This task is designed to be done in small groups of 2-4 students. This will provide scaffolding opportunities for ELL students and allow them to work and discuss their ideas with students who speak English more proficiently. This activity should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
You Had Me at Polygonaceae
You Had Me at Polygonaceae resources
Phylogenetics Terms - here you'll find information on terms mentioned in the movie, like monophyletic and polyphyletic.
Information about Polygonaceae - Encylopedia of Life
Xtranormal - I created this video on xtranormal.
Information about Polygonaceae - Encylopedia of Life
Xtranormal - I created this video on xtranormal.