Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students will explore the difference between common and scientific names of organisms and why scientists use a standard classification system. They will fill out a table of scientific and common names of well-known species. They will then create a picture book page displaying the hierarchical system of classification in picture form.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand that different languages and cultures have inconsistent common names for organisms
- Students understand why scientists use a standard classification system
- Students understand how to use a hierarchical system of classification, such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 Science
- Classification helps organise the diverse group of organisms (ACSSU111)
- Communicate ideas, findings and evidence based solutions to problems using scientific language, and representations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)
Syllabus outcomes: SC4-5WS, SC4-14LW.
General capabilities: Literacy, Creative and Critical Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards: They predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms and classify and organise diverse organisms based on observable differences. They communicate their ideas, methods and findings using scientific language and appropriate representations.
Topic: STEM, Sustainability, Biodiversity.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Backyard Bush Blitz – Year 7.
Time required: 75 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class activities
Resources required:
- A3 paper for picture book pages
- Bush Blitz Species Information Sheet
- Bush Blitz Species – Presentation
- Common Animal Names resource (to show on the board)
- Student devices capable of researching on the internet
- Student Worksheets (one copy per student).
Keywords: Classification, taxonomy, common names, scientific names, binomial nomenclature
Bush Blitz is Australia’s largest nature discovery program run by EarthWatch who kindly provided the images in these lessons. Thank you to the Ian Potter Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and The Myer Foundation for generously supporting the development of these lessons.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation
