Year 3, Term 2: ClassificationFocus: LogicScope and sequence: Dichotomous keys |
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Learning
intention: Students
compare features of living and non-living things to explore
classification systems and devise new ones.
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NSW Syllabus
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Australian Curriculum (version
9.0)
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"A student compares features and
characteristics of living and non-living things." (ST2-4LW-S)
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"Students learn to compare
characteristics of living and non-living things and examine the
differences between the life cycles of plants and animals."
(AC9S3U01)
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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.
Introduction to dichotomous keys
'Caminalcules'
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caminalcules).
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'.