Lesson Plan

• Describe the key cellular and structural features used to classify organisms into kingdoms.
• Explain how cell type, cell wall composition, chloroplast presence, nutrition mode, multicellularity, tissue differentiation, and reproductive structures determine kingdom placement.
• Apply a decision‑making checklist to correctly assign given animal or plant examples to Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, or Animalia.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed worksheets with organism cards
• Handout of the kingdom feature table
• Markers and chart paper
• Laptop with presentation slides
• Sticky notes for exit tickets

Begin with a quick think‑pair‑share asking students to list characteristics they think separate plants from animals. Connect their ideas to prior lessons on cell structure and nutrition. Explain that today they will learn the specific features that scientists use to place organisms into the five major kingdoms and how they will be assessed on this.

1. Do‑now (5') – Students write down known classification features on sticky notes; teacher collects for a brief review.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present the eight key features (cell type, wall, chloroplasts, nutrition, multicellularity, tissue differentiation, reproductive structures, life cycle) with examples.
3. Guided practice (12') – Walk through the checklist using a sample organism, filling in a table together.
4. Group activity (15') – Teams receive organism cards, apply the checklist, decide the kingdom, and record justification.
5. Whole‑class discussion (8') – Groups share answers; teacher highlights correct reasoning and clears misconceptions.
6. Formative check (5') – Quick Kahoot quiz on matching features to kingdoms.

Summarise the decision‑making process and remind students of the eight diagnostic features. For the exit ticket, ask each pupil to write one feature that most clearly distinguishes the Animalia kingdom from the others. Assign homework to complete a worksheet classifying five new organisms using the checklist.