Identity parade

Identity parade

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about using a classification key to identify insects and spiders.
 
These are all New Zealand small native animals.
Use the identification key below to answer the questions.
 
STEP 1 (i)   wings
(ii)  no wings
  Go to Step 2
  Go to Step 5
STEP 2 (i)   wings extend straight out 
(ii)  wings do not extend straight out
  Go to Step 3
  Go to Step 4
STEP 3 (i)   hind legs extend beyond body
(ii)  hind legs do not extend beyond body
  Cranefly
  Hunter wasp
STEP 4 (i)   wings cover abdomen completely
(ii)  wings do not cover all of abdomen
  Shield-bug
  Bluebottle
STEP 5 (i)   six legs
(ii)  eight legs
  Earwig
  Leaping spider

a)

What is Animal V? ______________________________
 
b)
Which animal is a cranefly? __________
 
c)
From the key work out how many animals have wings. __________  
 
d) What are the features of a leaping spider?

 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
4
Description of task: 
Students use a key to classify and describe a number of the illustrated insects and spiders.
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 (06/1999)
a) Earwig very easy
b) Z moderate
c) 4 moderate
d) Eight legs, no wings. moderate