First have eyes to see...
Classification is the act of naming things according to perceived similarities and placing those things into groups based on those attributes. In the beginning things were created according to their kinds. These "kinds" are each a group, but they are also individuals and even in the beginning man was called to name them. Noting differences and similarities is one way we can understand our world. It provides a network on which all we see can find a place. At one point in ancient times animals were put into five groups - domestic, wild, creeping, flying, and sea animals. Now we use five to seven kingdoms to group living things. Whatever the criteria, having the vocabulary allows us to sort and retrieve this information. Having the connections, the relationships, allows us to add and expand our understanding of all we see.
Genesis 1
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 2:19:
19 Now the LORD God had
formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of
the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and
whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
Now we get to continue. It is written that all of creation cries out about God. How blessed we are to study what He has made and in that to learn about Him. The following sites are not Christian in content and the theory of evolution that is present in several is just something that we have to deal with whether agreed with or not. The system of classifiying is not dependent on it, but it as a theory is sometimes useful in grouping things. The question of speciation is one that at some point you will want to address. We are to show ourselves as good students, ready to defend our beliefs. Though all animals are put in one group and called 'animals', it is obvious to any child that they are not the same in very important ways. Being in the same group only means that certain characteristics are similar.
For a quick overview read the beginning of the Utah Curr. listed below. Then quickly look over the next sites in the General/How To section, returning to the ones that peak your interest the most and best fit your needs. Having the following list of keys is terrific for following up on interests sparked by initial activities, as well as being sparks in themselves.
Following the websites are a few books that we would recommend. Feel free to send in more suggestions.