Classification resources

For this task students match animals to a description that has characteristics of that animal group. Then students use keywords to identify the larger animal group a number of different animals belong to.

Students indicate the links between different examples of vertebrate animals and their classification features by shading the correct links on the diagram provided.

Students are asked to identify the larger group that each of the following animals belongs to: turtle; swan; lizard; deer; frog; and rabbit. An example has been given to model this task.

Task: answer two questions about features of bats. Assessment focus: classification.

Task: Draw a line to match animals to their footprints, and explain why it may be useful to identify animals by their footprints. Assessment focus: using features to name animals.

Task: identify features of a spider. Assessment focus: classification of spider.

Task: answer questions about classification of a platypus. Assessment focus: classification features of mammals.

Students identify which one of the four drawn animals is not an insect, and then give a reason for their choice.

Task: from a set of animals students identify which have observable features common to fish. They then use this information to identify which of the animals are fish. Assessment focus: classification of fish.

Task: sort pictures into specified groups and identify features that are common to each group. Assessment focus: classification of insects/non-insects.

Select from multiple choice options. Assessment focus: classification features of insects and mammals.

Task: compare features of sea mammals and fish, and describe two features of mammals. Assessment focus: classification of fish and mammals.

Students identify the larger group that four animals belong the features that those groups have using images of the animals.

This practical task assesses students' ability to identify the larger group that four animals belong to and then to identify the features that those groups have using animal cards and labels.

Task: select which group pictures of animals belong to. Assessment focus: classification of small animals.

Task: Sort vertebrate animals according to given classification groups. Assessment focus: classification of animals.

Task: sort cards into groups. Assessment focus: classification

This practical task assesses students' understanding of the different features of the vertebrate groups. Students need to identify the larger group that their animal card belongs too, then work with other students with the same group to write down all the features of that group.

Task: group pictures of animals under headings. Assessment focus: classification of mammals, birds, and insects.

Name the group various animals belong to. Assessment focus: classification.

Task: Identify the features of three animals, name their classification group, and answer two questions comparing features of the groups. Assessment focus: classification of animals.

Students classify a range of animals as mammals, birds, or fish.

Students are given four pictures, and are asked to draw a circle around the picture that is not a bird, and then give a reason for their choice. Similarly, they circle animals that are not mammals, fish, and molluscs.