Overview

During these lessons’ students will explore classification by looking at how we organise and classify many things in our world, how you could improve this organisation and what you would do if we discovered a new species. 

The students also explore the structural features of objects and living things and look at the issues created when you solely use this to classify. 

They will create and use classification keys and they will explore some the terminology used when we classify living things, including microorganisms. 

In the last lesson, students will explore the classification levels from Domain to species and they will also take a virtual tour to explore a nature reserve and then research some of the adaptations found in the plants and animals there.

Students are learning to:

• know why and how we classify living things

• understand that there can difficulties when classifying living things only based on their structural characteristics

• be able to research and understand the key terminology and stages used when living things are classified

• be able to use classification keys to highlight the main features of several living things

• be able to highlight some of the features living things have that help them survive in their environment. 

Success criteria

• I have engaged with activities that explore why and how we classify. 

• I can identify the structural features of objects and living things and classify them based on similar structural features.  

• I can construct a dichotomous key and classification keys to answer questions on the similarities and differences between organisms. 

Outcomes

• SC4-7WS processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions 

• SC4-14LW relates the structure and function of living things to their classification, survival and reproduction

Students will look at how we classify things in common places like the supermarket and our bedrooms. They will see that classification helps order our world and make it easier when we discover new species. Students also look at classification based on structural features and the issues that could arise when relying solely on this to classify living things.

Students will:

• explore examples of how we classify

• understand why things are classified

• be able to conduct research on a recently discovered species.  

• be able to classify objects based on structural characteristics.

Students will compare the similarities and differences in the structural features of animals from the Galapagos Islands. They will create and use classification keys and they will explore some the terminology used when we classify living things, including microorganisms.

Students will:

• learn that you can classify a variety of living things based on similarities and differences in structural features

• understand that there can be difficulties in classifying living things just by their structural features

• be able to create and use keys to identify objects and living things

• be able to learn some of the key terms used to help classify living things.

Students will explore the classification levels from Domain to species. They will also take a virtual tour to explore a nature reserve and then research some of the adaptations found in the plants and animals there.

Students will:

• learn about some of the groups of microorganisms

• understand some of the structural features that are used to group living things

• be able to explain some of the features that help Australian plants and animals adapt to the Australian environment.