Classification of living things

Plants, animals and microorganisms, and their habitats make up the total biodiversity of the earth.

• Living organisms are sorted and classified according to their shared characteristics.
• Scientists have grouped the organisms into a classification system.
• The five main groups (called Kingdoms) of living organisms include Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plants and Animals.
• Basic differences in processes such as movement, nutrition and reproduction, distinguishes plants from animals.
• Kingdoms are further subdivided into Phyla/Divisions, then Classes, then Families, then Orders, then Genera, and the smallest group is Species.

• Greet the learners.
• Ask them to think about what their rooms looked like when they left for school this morning. Did they make their beds?  Did they pack away their pyjamas?
• Ask the learners who of them think that they are organised people and why?

e.g. It saves time;  helps one to find things easier;  some people are obsessive compulsive and need to have their things organised;  some people do not like clutter and cannot work in an environment that is not organised.

• Tell the learners that if we want our lives to be organised, we need to start with our personal space.
• Tell them that you are going to show them a very short video about organising and that you will explain afterwards how this is relevant to today’s lesson.
• Show VIDEO CLIP 1: How to Quickly Sort and Organize Your Clutter  (1.18 min.).
• After watching the video, remind the learners that they have learnt about the biosphere which contains all different kinds of animals, plants and micro-organisms.
• They will also remember that each type of living thing has adapted to it’s environment – can they name a few examples?
• As humans and animals, we experience different conditions on earth –
  • For example, our climate in South Africa differs a lot from the climate in Alaska, where it is exceptionally cold with snow and ice covering the land. Penguins and polar bears are able to survive in such conditions.
• There are many different kinds of living things on earth.
• Today we will explore biodiversity, which refers to all the living organisms and their habitats. This includes all the plants, animals and micro-organisms found on earth.
• Just like we need a classification system to sort our clutter, we also need a classification system for living things.
• Provide an overview of classification of living organisms by using PRESENTATION 1: Classification of living organisms.

• Ask learners if they can still remember the term “Mrs GREN” and what it stands for? (Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition).
• Can they remember what we call words that are made up of the first letters of things we would like to remember? (Mnemonics).
• Now hand out WORKSHEET A for learners to complete in their groups. Explain what is required to ensure that learners understand the instructions.
• Note that there is no MEMORANDUM or mark allocation for this worksheet.

• Show VIDEO CLIP 2: Classification of living things: (3.59 min.).
• Utilise PRESENTATION 2: Classification of living organisms (Part 2) to provide an overview of the second part of the topic.
• If time allows show VIDEO CLIP 3: Classification of living things for kids: (8.52 min.).