Classification keys to identify animals | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which of these are animals?
- jellyfish ✓
- snail ✓
- horse chestnut tree
- penguin ✓
- slate
Put these adult animals in order of size, from largest to smallest.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  blue whale
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  elephant
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  kangaroo
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  cat
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  mouse
- 7
  
  ⇔
  
  ladybird
Scientists use ______ keys to help them identify unknown objects.
- 'classification' ✓
Match the animal to the group it belongs in.
- cat
  
  ⇔
  
  mammal ✓
- butterfly
  
  ⇔
  
  insect ✓
- shark
  
  ⇔
  
  fish ✓
- robin
  
  ⇔
  
  bird ✓
- crocodile
  
  ⇔
  
  reptile ✓
- toad
  
  ⇔
  
  amphibian ✓
Scientists put living things into groups depending on their ______ and differences.
- 'similarities' ✓
Which of these questions can be answered with a 'yes' or a 'no'?
- Do you go to school? ✓
- Are you 8 years old? ✓
- Where is my coat?
- How many children are in your class?
- Is it raining? ✓

Exit quiz

______ keys are diagrams which include a series of yes/no questions.
- 'Classification' ✓
The questions on a classification key are based on the __________ characteristics of objects, including living things.
- measurable
- dependable
- observable ✓
- countable
Which of these are observable characteristics of living things?
- colour ✓
- habitat
- age
- size ✓
- structure ✓
Match the structure to the animal that has these observable characteristics.
- fin
  
  ⇔
  
  fish ✓
- long neck
  
  ⇔
  
  giraffe ✓
- feathers
  
  ⇔
  
  bird ✓
- scaly skin
  
  ⇔
  
  snake ✓
- fur
  
  ⇔
  
  rabbit ✓
What is the name of a type of scientist that studies animals?
- 'zoologist' ✓
Zoologists and naturalists use classification keys to identify and group animals. Use the classification key to find out which group a shark would be in.
- bird
- mammal
- fish ✓

Worksheet

Presentation

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

A classification key is a series of yes/no questions about the observable characteristics of living things.
Knowing the structure of an animal is useful when using classification keys.
Zoologists discover, identify and study animals in the local and wider environment.
Scientists, including zoologists and naturalists, use classification keys to identify and group animals.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle with some of the vocabulary needed for animal classification that is not used in everyday language. They may try to use an animal's habitat as an observable characteristic.

Model the correct classification language throughout the lesson using animals they are confident with. Although there sometimes are observable clues, you cannot be certain of an animal's habitat by looking at it out of context.

Keywords

Classification key - Classification keys are diagrams which help us identify objects using yes/no questions.
Identify - To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.
Observable characteristics - An observable characteristic is a feature or property of something that we can see or use our other senses to observe.
Structure - The parts of an animal’s body are called its structure.
Zoologist - A zoologist is a type of scientist that studies animals.