Resources

=__Resources:__=

__Interactive Dichotomous Keys:__

 * There are more keys available online and this list is not meant to be comprehensive, so if you find a key that you'd like to share, click on the discussion tab above and send me a note.**

//Web World Wonders//
(http://webworldwonders.firn.edu/cameras/keys/sa/tree.html) This site has an HTML based interactive plant identification dichotomous key. I have had problems with the pictures needed to use this key not showing up, so you should certainly check out the site before using it with students.

(http://oregonstate.edu/trees/index.html) There are two parts to this site; one page is a dichotomous key (http://oregonstate.edu/trees/dichotomous_key.html) and the other page is a challenge to use the key to identify several "mystery trees" (http://oregonstate.edu/trees/mystery_tree.html). Only the dichotomous key page, which uses HTML, is actually an interactive key; the mystery tree page gives you a list of characteristics and then links to the dichotomous key page for you to figure out the name of each mystery tree. While this is a positive aspect of the site, it can be challenging for users to remember what the mystery tree's characteristics were when they link over to the dichotomous key.

//Environmental Education for Kids - Water Critters //
(http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/watercritter/critterindex.htm) Much like the Oregon State University key, this key requires users to look at the images on one page (this time the goal of the key is to identify "water critters") and then link over to the HTML based dichotomous key.

//Environmental Education for Kids - Dichotomous Tree Key//
(http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/index.htm) Unlike its previous key, this key includes images on each page of the key. It is designed to be used by kids to identify trees in their neighborhood. Each page of this HTML based key presents an option between two different characteristics. The addition of visuals is a strength of this key.

//Cache Creek Dichotomous Key//
(http://www.botanyjohn.org/en/activities/dichotomous) This flash based key focuses on identifying plant species. The chosen plant remains on screen as users work through the key. The only drawback is there is a lot of specialized terminology used in the key; a glossary is available, but it is a separate page.

//Mr. Hayhurst's Dichotomous Key Activity//
(http://www.lnhs.org/hayhurst/ips/dichot/) This HTML based key begins with a series of drawings that really should be printed out, as suggested, before proceeding to the key. This is necessary because the key does not have any images included in it.

top

//Wacky People Dichotomous key://
This key has pictures of unusual "people" for the kids to figure out. As a Word document, you can change the names of each Wacky person and use the names of teachers and administrators at your school; the kids find it very entertaining! This key is attached as a Word document and a PDF file. I have also included a PowerPoint answer key. top

//Candy Classification Activity://
A very popular activity with the kids; they receive a bag of candy and use a dichotomous key to classify each piece. I found this to be a good introductory key because it is fairly simple and very high interest. Included is a letter I send home with the students asking for candy donations. As students finish, I give them a piece or two from the candy I did not use; that keeps them interested and helps to make sure that none of the candy that they need to classify disappears. This activity is attached as a Word document and as a PDF file. top

//Dichotomous Key Project://
As a culminating activity, I assigned this project. While working with a partner, students needed to create a dichotomous key using objects that they had with them (or brought in). Since accurately drawing objects can be a challenge, students had to use a digital camera to take a picture of the objects so I could grade their work (this also meant a lot less stuff cluttering up my classroom). This project is attached as a Word document and a PDF file. top

//Drinking Straws Dichotomous key://
Developed by one of my colleagues, Mr. Robert Oliver, this key is a good test of students' understanding of how to use a dichotomous key. Mr.Oliver included more steps and answers than needed, so students who do not work carefully through the key can end up at the wrong answer. We set up folders with the straws on one side and the key on the other, a picture of this is included in the attached Word document and a PDF file. top

//Cats of North America dichotomous keys://
The Glencoe/McGraw Hill textbook we use included this dichotomous key (attached as CatsofNAOriginalKey). Every year I have students complain about the lack of color on their copies of the key, especially since part of the correct answer includes a description of the color of a mountain lion. I reorganized the key, included two other cats, added a few different questions, and spaced things out a bit. All are attached as Word documents and PDF files. top