This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Ecology’ SoW.
 
This lesson begins with pupils being given a card sort of organisms, they will need to look at the pictures and try and decide how they would sort these organisms into groups, in other words how would they classify the organisms.
 
Pupils will then be introduced to Linnaeus’ classification system and how this now influences the way we classify organisms, as well as explaining how modern technology can help us to group organisms.
Pupils will then watch a video on classification, they will asked to think about, and write notes, on why classification is such an important process that scientists use.
 
Now, pupils are being introduced to the order of the classification system, pupils will be shown the order and then pupils will need to come up with their own mnemonic to help them remember this order.
 
Pupils will then be introduced to the binomial naming system and the importance of this system, which they should be able to recount.
 
The next activity involves pupils walking around the room, reading posters and they will need to use this information to complete a worksheet answering questions about the different kingdoms of the classification system. Once this is complete pupils can self or peer assess their work using the answers provided within the PowerPoint presentation.
 
Pupils will then complete an exam-style question on the topic of classification. This can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
 
The plenary is for pupils to complete an exit card to demonstrate what they have learnt during the lesson, this can be handed in at the end of the lesson to the teacher to check student understanding.