I've got the key to classification

Topics Year 2/3

Objectives

Geography

  • Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography including biomes and vegetation belts.

Science

  • Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.

Lesson Planning

Take part in a live classification key then see if you can get classifying Russian-style. Have a go at developing your own on-screen key that can be used as part of your final WWF exhibition.

Teaching Outcomes:

  • To identify plants and animals from a given Russian biome through the development of a key.
  • Explore the way that classification keys subdivide animals by asking a series of yes/ no questions.
  • Create an interactive classification key to help identify a small group of ‘mystery’ plants and animals.

Children will:

  • Take part in a live-action classification key
  • Devise questions for a classification key that identifies plants and animals from all four Russian biomes
  • Create and use an on-screen interactive key

Provided Resources

  • About classification
  • Animal and plant sets for all four Russian biomes

You Will Need

  • Branching database software – FlexiTree, Ask Oscar or Textease Branch