CERCA SLIDES
Classification
Who knew there were seven species of spotted skunks, or 4+ species of killer whales? 🦨🐋 From thinking about how we classify NEW 👀 animal species to reclassifying old ones…yes, even dinosaurs 🦕 – why can it be difficult for scientists to classify organisms?
Put on your lab coats 🥼 and 🧠 thinking caps, and let’s dig into some interesting lessons about the animal kingdom.
CERCA Slides by Grade

Grade 3: Partners
How do the words and phrases used in the article help the reader understand why lichens are special?
CCSS.RI.3.4
CCSS.W.3.2

Grade 4: New Species of Tapir Found in the Amazon
How does the passage help the reader understand the process of classifying a new species?
CCSS.RI.4.4
CCSS.W.4.2

Grade 5: Brontosaurus Makes a Comeback
Why would scientists reclassify a dinosaur?
CCSS.RI.5.4
CCSS.W.5.2

Grade 6–8: One Ocean, Four (Or More) Killer Whale Species
How does the passage help a reader understand the challenges of classifying killer whale species?
CCSS.RI.6.4
CCSS.RI.7.4
CCSS.RI.8.4
CCSS.W.6.2
CCSS.W.7.2
CCSS.W.8.2

Grade 9–10: DNA Study Reveals the One and Only Wolf Species in North America
How does the author describe the implications of both the North American wolf classification and the Endangered Species Act?
CCSS.RI.9-10.4
CCSS.W.9-10.2
