First you need to carefully observe the things that you want to classify. Then you can compare them. When you compare things, you are looking for similarities and differences. Things that are similar are put into the same group.

Two groups of living things

The living things in Group A are a pine tree and a gum tree.   What are the similarities?

The living things in Group B are a snail and a gibbon.   A snail is more like a gibbon than a gum tree.   Snails and gibbons both move around a lot, need to breathe in oxygen and eat food.   Gum trees are rooted to the spot and make their own food.   These are reasons why a snail is in the same group as a gibbon but in a different group from a gum tree.  

Once you have established your groups and the reasons for grouping in that way, you have built a classification system.

Lesson 6 - Classifying living things

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