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New
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Year 8

Identification and classification in the field

I can use a classification key to identify and classify organisms in their natural habitats.

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New
New
Year 8

Identification and classification in the field

I can use a classification key to identify and classify organisms in their natural habitats.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Make, record and interpret observations of organisms in the field.
  2. Use a classification key to identify and classify organisms in the field.
  3. How to work safely in a way that minimises harm to living organisms and disruption of ecosystems.

Keywords

  • Classification key - A series of questions about the features of organisms that help us to identify and classify them correctly.

  • Habitat - The environment in which an organism naturally lives.

  • Fieldwork - Collecting data outdoors in the natural habitats of organisms.

  • Data - Observations and measurements.

Common misconception

Drawing a graph with the axes incorrectly orientated (independent variable on y axis instead of x).

Outline and model graphs shown and discussed with links made between independent and dependent variables and the axes they appear on.

Edit the identification key if different species are more appropriate, but keep it short and focused so that students can focus on the process of classifying using the key and then displaying and interpreting their data.
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Teacher tip
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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on

except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
After we have handled plants or animals we must wash our hands with and warm water.
Correct Answer: soap, liquid soap, hand wash, handwash
Q2.
Which example shows the correct use of a tally?
option 1
option 2
Correct answer: option 3
Q3.
In an investigation, the independent variable is…
Correct answer: the variable that we change.
the variable that we measure.
the variable that we keep the same.
Q4.
On a graph, the independent variable goes on which axis?
Correct answer: x-axis
y-axis
Q5.
Which types of organisms is a classification key used to identify?
Organisms we don’t know exist yet.
Organisms that we are very familiar with.
Correct answer: Organisms that might be confused with another organism.
Q6.
Which features of an organism do we use to classify them?
How well known they are.
Correct answer: What they physically look like.
Their common name.

6 Questions

Q1.
From the graph, which bird was most seen at the bird feeder?
An image in a quiz
Robin
Bluetit
Correct answer: Sparrow
Male blackbird
Q2.
To protect wild birds from harm when studying them, we must:
Correct answer: Stay quiet and out of the way.
Wash our hands with soap and water after handling their food or feeders.
Handle them carefully.
Q3.
To protect plants from damage when we are studying them, we must:
Pick the flowers so we can look at them closely.
Stay quiet and out of the way.
Correct answer: Handle them carefully and not damage them.
Q4.
Use the key to classify the sea birds.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Bird A,Herring gull
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Herring gull

Correct Answer:Bird B,Arctic tern
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Arctic tern

Q5.
From the graph, which conclusion is correct?
An image in a quiz
There were more buttercups observed that plantains.
Correct answer: Only 7 quadrat squares had dandelions present.
Grass is the least common plant found.
Q6.
Which piece of equipment will you need to use to study plants in a field?
thermometer
Correct answer: quadrat
mass balance

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