Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Science
Living things and their habitats
Classification

Background Information
In this unit, children will learn how to classify living things. There are seven groups which are used to help classify a living organism: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. The children will understand which Class different animals belong to; understanding the key features of each class. The children will learn about different habitats and understand how an animals Class has an impact on which habitats they are able to survive in.

In this unit the children will…
Follow simple classification keys.
Create a classification key.
Identify how animals are classified.
Identify how different living organisms are classified including plants.
Identify how different habitats have changed over time.
Design a better habitat environment in the school.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Identify what a habitat is
Understand why animals need habitats.
Classify some living things correctly.
Identify how some living things are classified.
Follow a simple classification key.
Identify how habitats have changed.
Identify that classifying living things is important.
Classify some living things in their local environment.
Most children will:
Identify how most living things are classified.
Create a simple classification key.
Understand why classification keys are important.
Design a habitat for the local area that would be better suited.
Some children will:
Explain why habitats have changed over time.
Identify how we can create better habitats for our local area.

Key scientists
Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778) – Developed a method for classifying all living things on the planet.

Key Vocabulary
Habitat, micro habitat
Pond, meadow, log pile, woodland, river, lake, beach, cliff
Organism – plant, animal