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Year 6 · Science · Classifying living things · Lesson 2

Classification keys

Classification keys: using and constructing branching and dichotomous keys with observable yes/no questions.

Whiteboard video lesson: Classification keys

13-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Use a branching key
  • Write good key questions
  • Construct a simple key
  • Explain dichotomous keys

The method

  1. Look.
  2. Split in two.
  3. Yes/no question.
  4. Repeat.

Key words: classification key, branching key, dichotomous, observable.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

What is a classification key for?

  1. Step 1: Identify

Answer: identifying living things

Question 2

How many answers should each key question have?

  1. Step 1: Yes/no

Answer: two

Question 3

Use the key: no legs, has a shell.

  1. Step 1: s...

Answer: snail