Something observable is something that we can see or describe using our senses.

A characteristic is a feature or quality of something that we can use to help identify it.

We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.

A similarity is something two or more objects have in common.

A difference between two objects or things is something that is not similar or the same about them.

Comparing characteristics of living things

Science

In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils learn about why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics. In the Species and classification unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about the identification and classification of organisms, including at the cellular level.

In the Living things and the environment unit, pupils learnt to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

This unit covers the classification of living things, including micro-organisms, plants, and animals, based on observable characteristics. It explores reasons for classification and focuses on planning scientific enquiries, recording data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Why we group and classify living things

To identify something is to be able to name it correctly.

A vertebrate is an animal with an internal skeleton, including a spine.

Animals that do not have bones, including a spine, on the inside of their bodies are invertebrates.

Classification keys are diagrams which help us sort things into different groups.

How and why we group animals

To classify things is to sort them into groups.

Flowering plants reproduce by making seeds inside flowers.

Non-flowering plants reproduce by making spores.

How and why we group plants

A living thing is something that is alive. It can grow, reproduce, move, feed and excrete waste material.

A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.

Microbe is another name for a micro-organism.

A microscope is a piece of equipment that magnifies very tiny objects.

Micro-organisms are living things

Bacteria are a type of micro-organism that can be found in all natural environments.

Fungi are a type of micro-organism that feed on organic matter.

Grouping micro-organisms

Mould is a type of fungi which grows and forms a fuzzy coating on organic matter.

Fungi are organisms that include moulds, mushrooms, and yeasts. They feed on organic matter, usually from dead things.

Nutrients are important substances that living things use to stay alive and healthy.

Something that is moist is damp or a little wet.

Micro-organisms living on food: plan and do (non-statutory)

When something rots it decays or decomposes.

Compost is useful for growing plants. It can be made by rotting down certain types of food and garden waste.

Nutrients are substances that living things use to stay alive and healthy. Animals take in nutrients from their food.

The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Antibiotics are a type of medicine that can kill bacteria.

Dr Alexander Fleming was a Scottish scientist who discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin.

Penicillin is a type of antibiotic made from a fungus.

Microorganisms that help us (non-statutory)

Yeast is a type of fungus. It is a micro-organism used for making bread.

In a comparative test, the thing that is being changed has labels, such as the types of materials.

A variable is something that can be changed, measured or kept the same in an investigation.

Growing yeast: plan (non-statutory)

Fermentation happens when yeast takes in nutrients from food and releases carbon dioxide and alcohol.

In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.

The evaluation of an investigation includes what went well, what could have been improved and whether the investigation question was answered.

Growing yeast: do and review (non-statutory)

Data is information collected during an investigation. It may be numbers, symbols, pictures or text.

Micro-organisms living on food: review (non-statutory)

A scientist is a person who learns about science and carries out enquiries.

Taxonomy is the science of naming, describing and grouping all living things.

Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist and taxonomist who created a scientific naming system for living things.

Carl Linnaeus and classification

A taxonomist is a type of scientist who identifies, classifies and describes living things.

A species is a group of animals or plants that are similar and can have babies together.

Latin is a language that comes from the ancient Roman empire and is still commonly used by scientists and other academics.

Why we group and classify living things

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These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.