Identifying fish and shellfish

Identifying fish and shellfish

Pencil and paper
Overview
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about using a classification key to identify animals.
a)
 
 
Use the chart above to identify this fish.
 
 
The fish shown is a ...
(A)   trout.
(B)   kokopu.
(C)   perch.
(D)   carp.
 
 
 
 
 
b)
[NOT DRAWN TO SCALE]
 
 
These molluscs belong to three different groups: A, B, and C.
 
  i)
What feature do all these animals have in common? _______________________
 
  ii)
Complete the spaces i) to vii) so that someone would be able to identify these five animals.
[The question, New Zealand Freshwater Fish, might help you answer this.]
 
   

 

Level:
4
Description of task: 
Task: use a key to identify a fish, then complete a key to identify shellfish. Assessment focus: classification keys.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the purposes of identification keys and how to read them.
 
Science capabilities: 
Making Better Sense: 
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (06/1998)

a)   A very easy
b) i)ii)
Shell/muscular foot.
i)     1 shell
ii)    Pointed end of shell
iii)   One shell flat*
iv)   Both shells rounded*   
v)    Chiton
vi)   Top shell
vii)  Ostrich foot

*or other visible differences

easy
moderate
moderate
difficult
difficult
easy
easy
easy