You've Been...CLASSIFIED!

Our new science topic this half term is all about living things and their habitats and we have wasted no time getting up close and scientific with the animal kingdom!

We have been studying animals carefully, spotting their characteristics and using these clues to work out how they can be classified. We’ve explored vertebrates and invertebrates and investigated what makes a mammal different from a bird, an amphibian different from a reptile and an arachnid different from other arthropods. Turns out, in the animal kingdom, it really does pay to know who has a backbone!

We have also been getting to grips with classification keys, learning how carefully chosen questions can separate animals according to their distinguishable features. Sounds simple enough... until you actually have to make one!

After practising last week, the children were set the challenge of using everything they had learned to classify 10 random animals. Cue plenty of trial and error, a few wrong turns, some furrowed brows and, eventually, those wonderful Eureka! moments.

Their powers of observation were impressive, their questioning was thoughtful and their use of scientific vocabulary was strong. There was plenty of lively discussion as they examined legs, wings, skin, fur, feathers and all manner of other clues.

With so much excellent scientific thinking going on, the lesson seemed to slither by rather rapidly. Well done, Year 6!