Science at key stage 3 (Year 7)
Unit 7D: Variation and classification
Section 10: a. How do scientists classify living things?
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Objectives |
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- that scientific classification is important because it is a worldwide labelling system, and provides a means for systematic study of living things
- that two groups of living things are green plants and animals
- that animals can be subdivided into vertebrates and invertebrates
- that vertebrates include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians
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Activities |
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Outcomes |
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Children: |
- Describe using secondary sources,
eg photographs, video clips, the early attempts made by scientists to classify living things into groups, and ask pupils to suggest reasons why an agreed system for worldwide use is helpful. Explore knowledge and understanding of the major groupings of living things,
eg plants and animals.
- Explain the hierarchical nature of classification by introducing the notion that large groups,
eg animals, can be subdivided into smaller subgroups,
eg invertebrates and vertebrates. Introduce the major subgroups of vertebrates and ask pupils to describe the common features within each group.
- Provide pictures of a range of animals for pupils to classify into these groups, and ask them to present their work as a branching diagram.
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- explain some of the advantages of the scientific classification system
- describe some features of animals and plants
- summarise the features that groups of vertebrates have in common
- classify animals as invertebrate or vertebrate and as one of the main vertebrate groups
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Points to note |
- Pupils often have difficulty in being consistent in their classification,
eg they may classify a mouse as a mammal, but say it is an invertebrate because it can 'squeeze through bars' and so cannot have a backbone.
- Limit the information in this activity to the animal groups mentioned. Others are introduced in the next activity. Classification of plants is introduced in unit 8D 'Ecological relationships'.
- Teachers may wish to introduce the 'five kingdom' model to some pupils.
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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of
activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by
moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
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