Grouping and Classifying
Year 4
Unit Overview
In the Grouping and Classifying project, your child will learn why we sort and group things and the important classification skills of observing and questioning. They will learn what classification keys are and how they identify living things. Your child will learn the characteristics of the five vertebrate groups and the six main invertebrate groups.. They will also examine and classify real plants and create a classification key based on their observations. They will learn about some newly discovered plants and animals and use a classification key to classify each discovery.
❇ MEMORABLE MOMENT
Becoming scientists and using taxonomy to classify new living things.
️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES
Writing a newspaper article about an unclassified creature which has been washed up on a beach.
🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Searching for invertebrates.
Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions
1. What is classification? Recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways.
2. How can living things be grouped and classified? Recognise how classification keys are used to identify a living thing and begin to use the key to identify a variety of animals.
3. How are classification keys used? Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.
4. How are plants grouped and classified? Recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways.
5. How can you use a classification key for grouping plants? Explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.
Scientific Enquiry: Investigations
How does pollution affect habitats?
🏁 BIG FINISH
Children to complete a classification report based on a new discovery.
📖 FOCUS TEXT(S)
A variety of online texts and non-fiction books.