Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Fingerprint pattern activity.

Objective: Students will recognize that living things can be identified by their unique structure and characteristics.

Activity: Students will analyze and match their fingerprint patterns. Materials: Ink pad, index cards cut in half, two small collection boxes, bulletin board area. Procedure: 1) Give each student two index cards and have them use the ink pad to make a copy of the same fingerprint on each card. 2) Students place one of their fingerprint cards in one box, one in another. 3) Choosing at random, mount the fingerprints from one box on the bulletin board and allow each student to examine the fingerprints carefully. 4) Have each student choose a fingerprint from the remaining box. 5) One by one, have the students try to match the fingerprint they have chosen with one of the mounted prints.

Assessment: Participation in activity.