Scientists divide living things into groups, which is called classification. Living things are called organisms and they must do all of MRS GREN. (Can you remember what MRS GREN stands for?)
Living things are divided into KINGDOMS. Members of the plant kingdom can make their own food, however, animals cannot. This is why plants are called producers and animals are called consumers.
Animals are divided into vertebrates and invertebrates. The vertebrates are animals that have backbones. Then, what do you think the invertebrates are? Can you give examples of both vertebrates and invertebrates?
Plants are also divided into smaller groups. As I have mentioned earlier, plants make their own food using sunlight energy in a process called photosynthesis.
Scientists use make and use simple keys to identify plants and animals. Classification is also used to give the organisms names. They look at the features like shapes of leaves, colour and size of flowers, number of wings, number of spots, stem rigidity, lay eggs, breathe with gills….
You need to know how to use a classification key and practice until you feel confident with sorting animals or plant, may be even non-living materials!