New
New
Year 4

Introducing observable characteristics

I can group objects using observable characteristics.

New
New
Year 4

Introducing observable characteristics

I can group objects using observable characteristics.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Objects can be organised into groups based on what they have in common.
  2. Observable characteristics can include information about colour, size, shape or structure.
  3. Observable characteristics help us to sort objects into common groups.
  4. A Venn diagram and a Carroll diagram are both ways of presenting objects belonging to more than one common group.

Keywords

  • Group - To group things is to put similar things together.

  • Common - To have something in common is to share interests or other characteristics with someone or something.

  • Observable characteristic - An observable characteristic is a feature or property of a living thing that we can see or use our other senses to observe.

  • Diagram - A diagram is a simplified representation of information.

Common misconception

Pupils sometimes rely upon an organism’s habitat to classify it, rather than its physical features; this can lead to misunderstandings and misclassification.

As you model groupings, be clear to use observable features of the objects you are grouping - focus on what you can observe as a characteristic of being human.

It is more manageable to identify observable characteristics of up to ten pupils rather than the whole class. Be aware of differences which may be due to sensitive issues.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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6 Questions

Q1.
Humans ask to help them understand how and why things happen in the world.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: questions, a question
Q2.
Which of these questions can be answered with a yes or a no response?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: I am ten. Are you older than me?
How old are you?
Correct answer: Is your name Jun?
What is your name?
Correct answer: Do you like science?
Q3.
Which of these question starters would give you a yes or no answer?
An image in a quiz
Where
Correct answer: Are
Correct answer: Do
How many
Correct answer: Is
Q4.
Why do scientists ask yes/no questions?
An image in a quiz
Because they are nosy.
To find out something they already know.
Because they like asking questions.
Correct answer: To help them name unknown things.
Correct answer: To help them identify unknown things.
Q5.
Look at the image. Which of the things listed would belong in this group?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: ivy leaf
green car
greenfinch
Correct answer: beech leaf
Q6.
Match the object to the the most suitable group.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:robin,eagle, blackbird, blue tit

eagle, blackbird, blue tit

Correct Answer:apple,strawberry, lemon, grape

strawberry, lemon, grape

Correct Answer:carrot,beetroot, cabbage, broccoli

beetroot, cabbage, broccoli

Correct Answer:daffodil ,rose, bluebell, dandelion

rose, bluebell, dandelion

Correct Answer:car,lorry, motorbike, boat

lorry, motorbike, boat

Correct Answer:yellow,red, green, blue

red, green, blue

6 Questions

Q1.
To group things is to put things together.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: similar
Q2.
A group is made up of ...
An image in a quiz
things that are different to each other.
some things that are similar and some things that are different.
Correct answer: things that are similar to each other.
Q3.
Look at the image. What do the objects have in common?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: They are both rocks.
They are both the same shape.
They are both the same colour.
Correct answer: They are both natural materials.
They both have the same texture.
Q4.
An characteristic is a feature of a living thing that we can see or describe using our senses. We can use these to help identify the living thing.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: observable
Q5.
Which of these are observable characteristics of a living thing?
Correct answer: how it moves
Correct answer: its colour
its age
Correct answer: its shape
Correct answer: its structure
Q6.
Which of these ways to present information can be used to present objects belonging to more than one group?
An image in a quiz
a graph
Correct answer: a Venn diagram
a list
Correct answer: a Carroll diagram
a table