Holly Keeper

Content Area: Science

Teaching Model: Concept Attainment
An Introductory Study of Taxonomic Classification

I Description of Method
1. Instructional Method: Concept Attainment is the search for and listening of attributes that
can be used to distinguish exemplars for nonexemplars of various categories. This method
is useful when teaching a lesson in which categories are being studied and these categories
must be closely compared to distinguish them from each other. Students develop
knowledge of the attributes of categories by comparing and contrasting exemplars that
contain the attributes.
2. Topic & Rational: The study of taxonomy in biology requires the classification on many
examples of organisms and included many levels of organization. Through the concept
attainment method, we (the class) would start with exemplars from the first two levels of
organization, domain and kingdom, comparing the organisms for similarities and
differences, and move on from there comparing examples from subsequent levels. Two
other topics this method could be used for are comparison of terms within a plant cell
versus an animal cell, or the differences between fraternal and identical twins in genetics.
3. Features & Purpose: The principle purpose of this method is to distinguish examples of
different categories from each other. Through this process, learners gather a strong idea of
the characteristics (attributes) of the items in that category. Students create this picture of
the concepts after they are introduced to and have a chance to compare and contrast.
4. Pros & Cons: Two disadvantages of the concept attainment strategy include that some
students may learn better when given a lot of information in the beginning as compared to
just examples from which they gather the details. This may cause some frustration for such
students. A second possible con to the method is that students may begin to focus on the
wrong attributes that distinguish categories from each other if not strongly guided by the
teacher. It is hard to correct something that is learned incorrectly the first time. Two
advantages of the method are that compare and contrast strategies are supported by brain
to improve learning and many students would likely enjoy the challenge of developing their
own concepts for classifications of examples within different categories.
II Lesson Plan
1. Learning Objectives
a. Content Objective: Students will be able to analyze and discuss how scientific
conclusions are subject to interpretation and can be challenged by completing the
concept attainment activity in which they create a diagram of the taxonomic

classification categories including labels and attributes we discover through class

discussion of the exemplars.
b. Literacy Objective: Students will be able to Use logic and rhetoric to analyze and
critique ideas through the class discussion of the activity and also by providing
written responses to the attainments they identify through discussion and on their
diagrams.
c. Democracy Objective: Students will be able to develop new connections where
none previously existed through by completing the concept attainment activity in
which they create a diagram of the taxonomic classification categories including
labels and attributes we discover through class discussion of the exemplars. For the
purpose of developing skills of creativity and innovation.
2. Materials used White board, dry erase markers, student computers, blank paper for
students diagrams, rulers, pencils.
3. Model chosen & why The concept attainment model was chosen to allow students to
gather their own ideas of the differences between the taxonomic categories, and to see how
classification gets more and more refined as the.
4. Key terms - Terms directly from the taxonomic tree - Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class,
Order, Family, Genus, Species.
5. Assessment Students will create their own visual diagrams of the taxonomic tree and it
will be collected after all of the levels of organizations have been covered.