Science 4th grade | UNIT 2: Living things and environment 2.4 Identification keys
There are millions of animals in the world and scientists have to be able to identify them. They need to sort animals into groups.
Scientists also have to be able to identify animals. They do this with an identification key. There are keys for animals and keys for plants.
Here is an identification key. Each box has a question. By answering the questions, we can identify a bird, a cat, a fish and a snake.
Activity 2.4 (Making a key)
You will need: a large sheet of paper - a pencil
Draw a key which will help you to identify a tiger, shark duck and goat.
Questions
1) How does an identification key help us?
2) What two answers can be given to a question in an identification key?
3) How could you extend the key opposite to include a rabbit?
4) Find out the names of some groups of animals. For example, what is the name of the group that includes both humans and cats?
Challenge
Choose four animals. Draw a key to help you identify your animals.