To classify things is to sort them into groups.

To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.

A vertebrate is an animal with an internal skeleton, including a spine.

Animals that do not have bones, including a spine, on the inside of their bodies are invertebrates.

Classification keys are diagrams which help us sort things into different groups.

How and why we group animals

Science

In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils learn about why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics. In the Species and classification unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about the identification and classification of organisms, including at the cellular level.

In the Living things and the environment unit, pupils learnt to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

Why we group and classify living things

Animals can be divided into groups by looking at {{}} and differences between them.

What are the two main groups that scientists classify animals into?

Molluscs, insects, crustaceans and arachnids are all examples of {{}} animals.

to prevent animals from becoming endangered

to make it easier to identify, name and learn about them

sorting animals into vertebrates and invertebrates

counting the total number of animals we have

Vertebrates and invertebrates are types of animals. What do all vertebrates have that invertebrates do not have? 

Which of these are not observable characteristics of a living thing?

Which of these is another word for an animal’s spine?

warm-blooded, gives birth to live young, has hair or fur

warm-blooded, has feathers, lays eggs, has wings and a beak

Match the animal type to its characteristics.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

How and why we group animals

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.