In Year 4 Sycamore, the children took part in a fantastic science lesson that directly supported their statutory learning in ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’, where pupils are expected to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways and use classification keys to identify and name living things. 

Building on their prior knowledge of vertebrate groups—mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians—the children extended their understanding by exploring a range of invertebrate groups, including annelids, molluscs and arthropods. They applied Year 4 skills by using observable characteristics to classify animals and by working confidently with classification keys, a key method of scientific enquiry for this year group. 

Throughout the lesson, pupils demonstrated strong scientific behaviours: they discussed ideas collaboratively, compared similarities and differences, asked and answered yes/no questions, and refined their classifications using evidence. Their teamwork, reasoning and application of national curriculum skills were wonderful to see.