Instructions:

Different Classification Systems:

Western Scientists and Indigenous groups have different classification systems. For instance, Indigenous groups have a less divisive more utilitarian approach to classification than Western scientists. 

1. Teacher reviews worksheet made available in the Different Ways of Classifying worksheet and discusses with students the differences between Western and Indigenous classification systems.
2. In small groups students collect leaves (that have already fallen from trees) and in small groups develop their own classification system. 
3. Teacher can continue to use Classification worksheet to guide this process. (Students fill in blanks in discussion with teacher). See the rest of the worksheet content below. 
4. Teacher leads discussion with class regarding whether their approach to classification was more aligned with the Indigenous approach or the Western Scientific approach.

Optional Extension Activity: Assessing Biodiversity

1. At ELEEC or local park students can use quadrat technique to evaluate the biodiversity of the two distinct areas.
2. Formative Assessment: Teacher can ask students to explain, based on their results, what area of land they evaluated would best withstand threats such as climate change, contaminants, invasive species etc. Students should be able to explain that areas with more biodiversity are more resilient. 
3. Students can also be asked to classify the species found in each quadrat according to both Western and Indigenous classification systems.
4. Instructions for teachers on how to use quadrats with students can be found in the Quadrat Study Instructions and Quadrat Study Worksheet.