Student Worksheet

Classifying The Living World Around You - Activity Instructions

It’s time to think and work like a scientist. Kids are really good at asking questions as they make sense of the world they live in. This activity gives you the chance to explore how scientists classify all of the living things on our planet.

Biological classification is the process by which scientists group living organisms. Organisms are classified based on how similar they are.

Background information: Living things are classified or sorted into groups with similar features. Classification makes it easier to understand how people depend upon and affect other living things.

Learning outdoors can be fun, offering different ways of exploring the environment to ask questions and plan inquiries. Inquiry learning gives you the chance to take charge of what you learn while working scientifically gives you ways of questioning, observing, measuring, recording and communicating to build new knowledge.

So if you’re into being curious and love asking questions, investigating the world outside may quickly become your new way of learning.

Safety advice: Conduct a risk assessment of the site before heading out. Examples of potential dangers outside: large trees with dead or dying limbs, stinging or biting insects, sunburn and dehydration. It's also best to be prepared by having a phone and first aid kit handy.

Part A: Activating Prior Knowledge: What Do We Need To Do To Get Ready?

Note: In this activity, you will be following the sequence of learning on the Classification Of Living Things Worksheet. You can either work directly from this worksheet or use the steps below to guide you through the worksheet. You may find additional information in the steps below to help support you in your work.

Step 1.

In this activity, you will have the chance to explore how scientists classify all of the living things on our planet. Begin reviewing your prior knowledge by defining the features of living things using the Classification Of Living Things Worksheet (see Part A of this worksheet).

Step 2.

Once you’ve completed defining the features of living things, continue working through Part A of the worksheet to classify items as either living or nonliving.

Part B: How And Why Do We Classify Living Things?

Step 1.

Now turn to Part B of the worksheet and think of some of the reasons why living things are classified.

Step 2.

With the help of an adult check out a safe location outside such as your backyard or nearby park where you can investigate a variety of living things.

In this outside space identify and classify a variety of living things using the prompts under Step 2 of Part B of the worksheet. Record your answers on the worksheet.

Step 3.

Back inside read through the Classification Of Living Things Factsheet. You can also watch the following clip: Introduction to Taxonomy (https://youtu.be/NRVJyUZoQow).

Then turn to Step 3 of the worksheet and create a mind-map to describe similarities of living things in the five groups called Kingdoms. You may find the five Kingdom photo sheets useful (Animalia, Fungi, Monera, Plantae, Protista and the Features of Kingdoms). These can be found under ‘What you will need’ in the Activity Introduction of this activity.

You will also find a sample mind-map on the worksheet.

Part C: Profile And Organism

Step 1.

Your task is to now research an organism you are interested in and to prepare a profile of its structural features, adaptations, habitat description, scientific or binomial name. You will find an example in Part C of the worksheet.

Taking It Further

Populations of organisms constantly change through natural and/or human impacts. However, the rate of human activity in creating changes in the environment places so much pressure on populations of organisms that they become extinct or at risk of extinction.

Conduct some research into an Australian animal species that is endangered.

For example, you might choose to check out the endangered Manning River Helmeted Turtle.

Through your research try to answer the following questions:

• Why is this species endangered?

• What can be done to ensure the conservation of this species?

• How can non-scientists become involved in the conservation of endangered organisms?

Outdoor Learning - Classifying The Living World Around You

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