1. Identification keys 3
Science
Grade 3

2. LO: to use identification keys to identify plants we do not know

3. Starter: Can you write a question for this identification key?

4. Answer:
Is it a flowering plant?
More options are possible.

5. Identification keys
We can use identification keys to help us to name plants that we do not know the names of.
Identification keys for plants can become quite complicated.
There are many plants that look similar but have small differences, for example to shape of the leaf or the colour of the flower.

6. Look at these different types of leaves:

7. This identification key looks at different types of plants: trees and shrubs. Shrub - a woody plant which is smaller than a tree and has several main stems arising at or near the ground.

8. A cactus (plural: cacti, cactuses, or cactus)

9. spines

11. Suggested questions:
Does it have white flowers?
Are the leaves flat?

12. Your friend likes cacti with white flowers and red spines
Your friend likes cacti with white flowers and red spines. Which two cacti would you buy for them?

13. Answer: You could buy:
Echinocactus
Ferocactus

14. Independent work: Complete your worksheets
Group 1 : HA: work on your own
Group 2 and 3: MA and LA: work with your teacher

15. Some words before we start:
Branched leaves: Jagged leaves:

17. Answer:
A: Bladder wrack
B: Gutweed
C: Sea lettuce
D: Serrated wrack

18. Make a simple identification key to identify two plants of your choice:

19. Suggested answer:

20. Plenary