New
New
Year 4

Classification keys to identify plants

I can identify plants using classification keys.

New
New
Year 4

Classification keys to identify plants

I can identify plants using classification keys.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A classification key is a series of yes/no questions about the observable characteristics of living things.
  2. Knowing the structure of plants is useful when using classification keys.
  3. Botanists discover, identify and study plants in the local and wider environment.
  4. Scientists including botanists, use classification keys to identify and group plants in the local and wider environment.

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 a plants surface are called its structure.

  • Botanist - A botanist is scientist who studies plants.

Common misconception

Pupils may try to identify plants using the habitat they are found in as opposed to their observable features.

Reinforce that where a plant lives is not an observable characteristic and cannot be used to identify it.

Aim to go outside and look at real plants in the local environment. Pupils could try to create a simple classification key of their own to identify these plants.
Teacher tip

Equipment

If going outside to look at plants, you may need a hand lens and a camera.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
A classification key is a series of questions about the observable characteristics of living things.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: yes/no, yes and no, yes / no, yes or no, yes no
Q2.
Which of these questions about an ant eater can be answered with a "yes" or a "no"?
An image in a quiz
How old is it?
Correct answer: Is it a fish?
Where does it live?
How many legs does it have?
Correct answer: Has it got fur?
Q3.
Which of these things describes the structure of a living thing?
An image in a quiz
It is wild.
It lives in the sea.
Correct answer: It has rough skin.
Correct answer: Its teeth are sharp.
I found it under a stone in the garden.
Q4.
Thinking about the observable characteristic of size, put these animals in order of smallest to largest.
An image in a quiz
1 - ant
2 - mouse
3 - dog
4 - crocodile
5 - elephant
6 - whale
Q5.
Which of these people might use a classification key at work to help them identify living things?
An image in a quiz
A plumber
A police officer
Correct answer: A zoologist
An electrician
Correct answer: A naturalist
Q6.
What type of animal am I? I have fins, I don't have a curly tail and I am white.
An image in a quiz
seahorse
Correct answer: beluga whale
basking shark
sea urchin
nudibranch

6 Questions

Q1.
A key is a series of yes/no questions about the observable characteristics of living things.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: classification, identification
Q2.
Which of these questions about the sunflower plant can be answered with a yes or a no?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Is it yellow?
How tall is the sunflower?
What colour are the leaves?
Correct answer: Are the leaves purple?
Where are these sunflowers growing?
Q3.
We can use classification keys to help us to __________ plants.
An image in a quiz
observe and measure
Correct answer: identify and group
collect and record
Q4.
Which of these statements describe the structure of this pineapple plant?
An image in a quiz
It is shaped like a rugby ball.
Correct answer: It has shorter green leaves on the top.
It grows in a jungle.
Q5.
Which plant is being described? It has rough bark and has small yellow flowers.
An image in a quiz
bottle brush plant
Correct answer: silver birch
pea plant
venus fly trap
Q6.
Which plant is being described? It has smooth bark and makes seeds that grow in green pods.
An image in a quiz
bottle brush plant
silver birch
Correct answer: pea plant
venus flytrap