Identification

keys
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

★ Use simple identification keys

★ Make relevant observations and
comparisons in a variety of
contexts.
★ Link evidence to scientific
knowledge and understanding.
Learner’s Book
Activity Book
Internet access
Words to Learn

key
 Identification key

There are millions of animals in the world and scientists have to be able
to identify them. They need to sort animals into groups.
Scientist also have to be able to identify animals. They do this with an
identification key. There are keys for animals and keys for plants.

Here is an identification key. Each box has a question. By answering the

questions, we can identify a bird, a cat, a fish and a snake.
 Activity 2.4
Making a key
You will need:
A large sheet of
Draw a key which will help you to identify a tiger, paper
A pencil
shark, duck and goat.
 Questions

1. How does an identification key help us?

2. What two answers can be given to a question in an identification
key?
3. How could you extend the key opposite to include a rabbit?
4. Find out the names of some groups of animals. For example, what
is the name of the group that includes both humans and cats?
1-4
Choose four animals. Draw a key
to help you identify your animals.
What you have learnt

● Scientist need to be able to group animals

● We can use an identification key to group
animals
 Talk about it!
How would you make a key
big enough for all the animals
in your country?
 Homework:
Worksheet 2.4