New
New
Classification and species
I can explain how organisms are classified into groups, and what a species is.
Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
- Year 8
Classification and species
I can explain how organisms are classified into groups, and what a species is.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Similarities and differences in the features of organisms are used to classify them into groups within larger groups.
- Scientists classify every organism into groups from kingdom down to species.
- In larger groups such as kingdoms, there are more organisms with fewer similarities in their features.
- A species is a group of individuals with similar features and genes that can reproduce to make fertile offspring.
- Scientists give each species a binomial name to identify the genus and species.
Keywords
Classification - The process of sorting things into groups.
Kingdom - A very large group of organisms with only a few features in common, such as all animals or all plants.
Genus - A small group of several species.
Species - A group of very similar organisms that can reproduce with each other to produce fertile offspring.
Common misconception
Grouping organisms based on similarities in their names (e.g. fish and jellyfish) or habitat.
The lesson makes clear that scientists classify organisms into groups using similarities and differences in their features (e.g. backbone).
Use real (perhaps preserved) examples of different organisms for students to handle and examine, including with a hand lens, to really look carefully at the differences and similarities.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following organisms are animals?
Which of the following organisms are animals?
Grass
Mushroom
Q2.An invertebrate animal is one that does not have a ...
An invertebrate animal is one that does not have a ...
Q3.Match the term to its description.
Match the term to its description.
Q4.Starting with the largest, sort these groups into order of size.
Starting with the largest, sort these groups into order of size.
Q5.Which of the following is not a group of vertebrate animals?
Which of the following is not a group of vertebrate animals?
birds
amphibians
reptiles
fish
Q6.Match the group of vertebrate animals to the correct description.
Match the group of vertebrate animals to the correct description.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is a behavioural difference between animals?
Which of these is a behavioural difference between animals?
skin colour
lays eggs
Q2.Which of these correctly describes the difference between the horse (Equus ferus) and zebra (Equus quagga)?
Which of these correctly describes the difference between the horse (Equus ferus) and zebra (Equus quagga)?
They are both from different genus.
They are both from a different kingdom.
Q3.Starting with the largest group, sort these levels of classification into descending order.
Starting with the largest group, sort these levels of classification into descending order.
Q4.Which option shows the correct way to format a binomial name for a red kangaroo?
Which option shows the correct way to format a binomial name for a red kangaroo?
Osphranter Rufus
osphranter rufus
osphranter Rufus
Q5.A is a group of individuals with similar features and genes that can reproduce to make fertile offspring.
A is a group of individuals with similar features and genes that can reproduce to make fertile offspring.
Q6.Match the classification level with the name of the panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).
Match the classification level with the name of the panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).
