SILO 3.2 (DRAFT)

Year 3, Term 2: Classification

Focus: Logic

Scope and sequence: Dichotomous keys

Learning intention: Students compare features of living and non-living things to explore classification systems and devise new ones.

NSW Syllabus
Australian Curriculum (version 9.0)
"A student compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things." (ST2-4LW-S)
"Students learn to compare characteristics of living and non-living things and examine the differences between the life cycles of plants and animals." (AC9S3U01)


Week 1

Introduction to classification

Taxonomy is the branch of science concerned with classification.  This video (4:11) shows how classification works using a red fox as an example.


Classification systems continue to evolve so there is some debate about the number of categories.  The following screenshot from the previous video is a reminder that there are generally considered to be eight categories involved in biological classification as follows:


An interactive resource is available from the UNE Discovery program (https://www.unediscoveryvoyager.org.au/latin-taxonomy-build-a-character/) where students can make adaptations to creatures and then use the Latin binomials to name the new creatures. 

 

Week 2

Introduction to dichotomous keys


(https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/what-is-a-dichotomous-key/)

Week 3

'Caminalcules'

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminalcules).


(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminalcules#/media/File:Caminalcules.jpg)

 

Week 4

Classification activity

How many groups could the following five shapes be grouped into?

Try sorting them into groups of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

 

Discuss the word 'criteria' and then link it to classification in terms of 'attributes'.


Week 5


Week 6

 

Week 7

 

Week 8

 

Week 9

 

Week 10

Moderated self-assessment


 

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