Science KS 3 Unit 7D Variation and classification

In this unit pupils:

• explore variation within and between species.
• consider why classification is important and are introduced to scientific classification of animals.
• investigate patterns of variation in living things and ways of representing and explaining the occurrence of variations.

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• frame questions to be answered using first-hand or secondary data.
• make qualitative observations and record these in a variety of ways.
• draw conclusions from observations and explain these using scientific knowledge.
• investigate variation between individuals of the same species using an appropriate sample size.

Much of this work involves the interpretation and analysis of visual information gathered from a variety of sources. The use of enlarged images and other methods of gathering information may support learning for pupils with visual impairment.

Teachers will be aware of the need for sensitivity to the circumstances of pupils and their families throughout this unit.

This unit is expected to take approximately 7.5 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• secondary sources to explore environmental and inherited variations, eg illustrations of environmental variation, family photographs, other reference literature
• photographs showing different animals within one species, eg dogs, cats
• database and spreadsheet software
• secondary sources containing descriptions of living things, eg novels, poems, field guides
• secondary sources to explore the variety of living things, eg CD-ROMs, photographs, video clips, other reference literature
• preserved specimens of animals representing major taxonomic groups
• suitable living animals for observation
• prepared sheets of 30 fingerprints
• data sheets on leaf size