Y5/6 (B): Living things: Classifying big and small
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Define the term ‘organism’ and name the seven life processes of all living things.
- Describe the work of Carl Linnaeus.
- Define the term ‘vertebrate’ and name the vertebrate groups.
- Describe the characteristics of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
- Compare the characteristics of the vertebrate groups.
- Define the term ‘invertebrate’.
- Describe the characteristics of worms, snails, spiders and insects.
- Compare the characteristics of the invertebrate groups.
- Name the plant groups.
- Describe the characteristics of flowering plants, ferns, mosses and conifers.
- Define the term ‘micro-organism’ and name some examples.
When working scientifically pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Use a classification key to group and identify organisms.
- Make a simple classification key.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long, to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Lessons
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 1: Carl Linnaeus and classification
Knowledge
- To explain how organisms are classified using the Linnaean system.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: Cold-blooded vertebrates
Knowledge
- To classify the cold-blooded vertebrate groups using their common characteristics.
Working scientifically
- To use a classification key to classify frog species.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Warm-blooded vertebrates
Knowledge
- To classify the warm-blooded vertebrate groups using their common characteristics.
Working scientifically
- To use a classification key to classify vertebrates.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 4: Invertebrates
Knowledge
- To classify invertebrates using their characteristics.
Working scientifically
- To use a classification key to classify invertebrates.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 5: Plants
Knowledge
- To describe how the plant kingdom is organised (based on shared characteristics).
Working scientifically
- To produce a working classification key.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 6: Micro-organisms
Knowledge
- To describe and classify micro-organisms.
Working scientifically
- To use a classification key to classify bacteria.
Key skills
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – Science Y5/6 (B): Living things: Classifying big and small
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the mixed-age unit ‘Classifying big and small’.

Vocabulary display – Science Y5/6 (B): Living things: Classifying big and small
A display version of the vocabulary from the mixed-age unit 'Classifying big and small'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
British values: mutual respect.
Art: clay sculpture.
English: writing.