This document discusses how living things are classified based on their characteristics and features. It examines the classification of different types of animals such as fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles based on traits like whether they lay eggs, have feathers/scales, breathe air or water, and regulate their body temperature. The document also covers plant classification, noting that mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants can be distinguished by traits like whether they have roots, leaves, needles, or flowers. Living things are grouped according to shared characteristics.

2. Living things are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Look carefully at
these animals.
We can classify
these animals by
looking at the
features they share.
All but this one
have a back bone
(spine) – they are
vertebrates.

3. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
We can classify vertebrates
further by looking at the other
characteristics they have.

4. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Let’s look at
fish.
What are the
features of a
fish?
They lay
eggs.
They have gills to
breathe underwater.
Their body temperature
changes.
They have
scales.
For an animal to be
classified as a fish,
it has to have all of
these features.

5. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Now, let’s look
at birds.
What are the
features of a
bird?
They lay
eggs.
They have lungs and
need air to breathe.
They have a steady
body temperature.
They have
feathers.
For an animal to be
classified as a bird,
it has to have all of
these features.

6. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Now, let’s look
at mammals.
What are the
features of a
mammal?
They have hair or fur.
They have lungs and
need air to breathe.
They have a steady
body temperature.
They give birth to live
young and feed them
milk.
For an animal to be
classified as a
mammal, it has to have
all of these features.

7. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Now, let’s look
at amphibians.
What are the
features of an
amphibian?
They lay eggs.
They can live on land or
in water.
They have damp,
smooth skin.
Their body temperature
changes.
For an animal to be
classified as an
amphibian, it has to
have all of these
features.

8. Animals are classified based on their characteristics and features.
Now, let’s look
at reptiles.
What are the
features of a
reptile?
For an animal to
be classified as an
reptile, it has to
have all of these
features.
They lay
eggs.
They have lungs and
need air to breathe.
Their body temperature
changes.
They have
scales.

9. Conifers have roots
and spines (or needles)
instead of leaves. They
also produce seeds
inside cones.
Plants are also classified based on their features
Mosses do not have
roots, have very small
leaves and grow in
moist environments.
Ferns have roots and
have leaves which
uncurl as they grow
(called fronds).
Flowering plants have
roots and leaves. They
also have flowers –
these are the most
common plants!
Use these
characteristics
to classify the
following plants!

10. Plants are also classified based on their features
Ferns have roots and
have leaves which
uncurl as they grow
(called fronds).
Mosses do not have
roots, have very small
leaves and grow in
moist environments.
Conifers have roots
and spines (or needles)
instead of leaves. They
also produce seeds
inside cones.
Flowering plants have
roots and leaves. They
also have flowers –
these are the most
common plants!

11. Plants are also classified based on their features
Mosses do not have
roots, have very small
leaves and grow in
moist environments.
Conifers have roots
and spines (or needles)
instead of leaves. They
also produce seeds
inside cones.
Ferns have roots and
have leaves which
uncurl as they grow
(called fronds).
Flowering plants have
roots and leaves. They
also have flowers –
these are the most
common plants!

12. Plants are also classified based on their features
Mosses do not have
roots, have very small
leaves and grow in
moist environments.
Conifers have roots
and spines (or needles)
instead of leaves. They
also produce seeds
inside cones.
Ferns have roots and
have leaves which
uncurl as they grow
(called fronds).
Flowering plants have
roots and leaves. They
also have flowers –
these are the most
common plants!

13. Plants are also classified based on their features
Mosses do not have
roots, have very small
leaves and grow in
moist environments.
Conifers have roots
and spines (or needles)
instead of leaves. They
also produce seeds
inside cones.
Ferns have roots and
have leaves which
uncurl as they grow
(called fronds).
Flowering plants have
roots and leaves. They
also have flowers –
these are the most
common plants!