Week 1 Lesson 1 - Classification Introduction

Some of the things you've just listed could be used to classify livings things, this process of grouping objects that share features is called classification.

In everyday life, we are always grouping things based on their similarities and differences. For example, breakfast cereals are all in one aisle of a supermarket. Rubbish is sorted for recycling. Clothes are sorted into different drawers: one drawer for socks, one for underwear, another for T-shirts and another for shorts.

Without classification, our lives would be chaotic!

Classification is an important skill in all branches of science. In biology, it is used to group similar organisms together. The science of describing, classifying and naming organisms is called taxonomy. Scientists who classify organisms are called taxonomists.

Taxonomists group organisms according to their observed similarities. Similarities can include:

• physical features, such as colour, shape or body covering, and

• behavioural features, such as how organisms obtain food.

1. Closely examine the different features of each animal shown below.

2. Organize the animals into groups based on similar features.

Now, what other features could be used to classify the animals in a different way? 

In your books, explain why you sorted your the animals the way that you did.

Classification: process of grouping objects that share features.

Taxonomy: the science of describing, classifying and naming organisms.

Taxonomists: Scientists who classify organisms.

Discussion - What are some reasons why it can be difficult to classify organisms?​

1. ​Dragon FlY

2. Snap Dragon

3. Mythical Dragons

4. Komodo Dragon

5. Weedy Sea Dragon 

​We are going to research the following dragons and then try and see how we could classify them.

1. List the features that are common to all five dragons.

2. Summarise the man similarities between different types of dragons.

3. What dragon do you think would be most closely related to mythological dragons? Explain your answer. 

4. All 5 organisms have the term dragon in their name. Based on your findings what are some advantages and disadvantages for using common names when naming organisms.

This activity demonstrated that because the word dragon is in the name, it doesn't necessarily reflect the commonly shared characteristics of the organisms.

Explain why it might be important to use a consistent and clear naming and classification scheme for different organisms?

What have you learned about the use of common names and grouping organisms based on that common name?