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Classification is putting things into groups. Living things can be divided into these groups or 'classified' by looking at similarities and differences between the way they look and behave.

Animals are divided into two main groups. Animals that have a backbone (spine) are called vertebrates. Animals that don't have a backbone are called invertebrates.

Vertebrates and invertebrates are divided into smaller groups.

Vertebrates, for example, are divided into five groups:

• fish
• amphibians (like frogs and toads)
• reptiles (like snakes and crocodiles)
• birds
• mammals (like humans, dogs and dolphins)

There are many different groups of invertebrates too. They include invertebrates which have:

• soft bodies such as jellyfish, worms and molluscs (like slugs and squids).
• hard bodies such as insects, crustaceans and spiders.

Have a look through any magazine, newspaper or catalogue that you have access to.

• Write a list of all the animals you can see.
• Time yourself as you classify these animals into different groups.

Challenge: Let a friend question all your choices for the different groups. Why did you put that animal in that group?