Lesson 1
Bellwork
How are organisms classified?
By the end of today...
We will all be able to explain that organisms can be
classified according to their characteristics
Most of us should be able to describe the main
characteristics of the five kingdom
Some of us will be able to describe the problems of
classifying organisms into five kingdoms
How...
Presenting information and drawing conclusions using
scientific, technical and mathematical language
The five kingdoms of organisms
 The process of sorting organisms into groups
according to what they look like is called classification.
 Organisms may be classified into five kingdoms,
according to some very basic characteristics.
Activity 1:
Can you link the keywords to their definitions
 Unicellular
These organisms eat and digest
organisms externally
 Multicellular
These organisms make their own
food via photosynthesis
 Autotroph
Made of a single cell
 Heterotroph
These organisms eat and digest
other organisms
 saprophytic
Made of many cells
The main characteristics of organisms in the five
kingdoms
Kingdom
Main characteristics
Animalia
Multicellular;
Heterotrophic feeders so no
cholorophyll; no cell walls; complex cell
structure with nucleus
Plantae
Multicellular, autotrophic feeders using
chlorophyll; cell walls made of cellulose;
complex cell structure with nucleus
Fungi
Multicellular; cell walls not made of
cellulose; saprophytic feeders so no
chlorophyll; complex cell structure with
nucleus
Protoctista
Mostly unicellular (a few are
multicellular); complex cell structure
with nucleus
prokaryotae
Unicellular; simple cell structure with
no nucleus
Activity 2: Classifying organisms
Worksheet B1.1a
 For each organism shown on the worksheet can you
state which kingdom you think it is in and give your
reasons.
 Choose from these kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae,
Fungi, Prokaryotae, Protoctista.
Activity 3:
The problem with Euglena
Worksheet B1.1b
 For many years, scientists argued about whether it was
an animal, a plant or neither.
 You need to construct an argument to say whether you
think it should be classified as an animal, as a plant or
as neither.
Plenary
 A dictionary publisher of a children’s dictionary needs
definitions of the words ‘plant’ and ‘animal’.
in your exercise books can you write definitions for
the dictionary?
How are organisms classified?
By the end of today...
We will all be all able to explain that organisms can be
classified according to their characteristics
Most of us should be able to describe the main
characteristics of the five kingdom
Some of us will be able to describe the problems of
classifying organisms into five kingdoms
How...
Presenting information and drawing conclusions using
scientific, technical and mathematical language