Year 6 · Science
Why scientists classify living things
Why do scientists classify living things?
Classification gives scientists a shared way to organise living things, compare their features, identify relationships and communicate clearly about organisms. Linnaeus developed a hierarchy of named groups so that the same organism could be recognised and discussed consistently in different places.
What classification helps scientists do
- identify an unfamiliar organism from observable evidence
- compare organisms and notice meaningful similarities or differences
- communicate using shared group names instead of local names alone
Keep practising: Use the Year 6 Science checklist
Year 6 learners practise explaining how Linnaeus classified living things.
The activities include Examine Classification, Explore the Process of Classification, Find Out About Classification, and related practice. The checked support below includes teaching-practice, video, teaching, interactive. Open a resource in its provider's website and choose the format that best helps the learner explain the idea independently.
Free offline practice
Print & practise
Continue with a focused printable or a checked pack for this school year.
Activities covered
Finish one activity, then tap Done to earn one Den Drop ticket. You can earn up to 3 tickets each day.
- Examine Classification — support from Oak National Academy
- Explore the Process of Classification — support from Oak National Academy
- Find Out About Classification — support from Oak National Academy
- Learn About Classifying Life — support from Oak National Academy
- Understand Classification — support from Oak National Academy
- Understand How to Classify Organisms — support from Oak National Academy
Share this topic
Share this page with another parent, carer or learner. No personal details are added.
Choose a learning resource
Start with an explanation, then practise, then print. Labels show access and review status before you click.
What the icons and labels mean
Formats
Watch — a video explanation
Learn — a lesson or teaching page to read and work through
Practise — questions or activities to try
Print — a worksheet you can print
Cost and account
Free no payment or account needed for this resource
Free account needed no payment needed, but the provider asks you to create an account
Subscription part of a paid plan on that site
Check access access has not yet been confirmed, so it appears only under Everything
Review status
Verified match checked against this topic, with a visible check date
Reviewed, not fully verified reviewed, with some checks still outstanding
Awaiting review still waiting for review
Tell us how it went
This helped · Link or access problem · Not the right match
We show a free label only after checking the resource's own page. Access can vary by resource. Unconfirmed access appears only under Everything.
Watch it explained
watch a video explanation
Carl Linnaeus and classification
Best for: a clear explanation before you practise
Nothing in this step matches your filters.
Learn it properly
lessons and teaching pages
Y6 Living Things & Their Habitats Organising Organisms Lesson 1
Best for: worked examples and step-by-step teaching
Living things and their habitats - KS2 Science
Best for: worked examples and step-by-step teaching
Science: Living Things and Their Habitats: The Animal Kingdom: Year 6 Lesson 2
Best for: worked examples and step-by-step teaching
Nothing in this step matches your filters.
Practise it
questions and activities to try
Carl Linnaeus and classification worksheet and quiz downloads
Best for: active questions with immediate feedback
Nothing in this step matches your filters.
Print and finish
worksheets away from the screen
Nothing in this step matches your filters.