Vertebrates Lesson Plans

Students are able to describe the development of their chosen form of vertebrate life from the past to the present in a four to six page typed paper. They explain the use of phylogenetic tree. Students use the phylogenetic tree to exemplify an organism's evolutionary change as well as current information on the organism's current adaptation or change of habitat.

What a terrific lesson! Learners discuss the animal kingdom, and classify them as vertebrates and invertebrates. They also identify them as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There is even a taxonomic breakdown of popular animals.

Young scholars examine the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. They conduct Internet research, take an online invertebrate quiz, complete a vertebrate fact sheet, print out pictures of invertebrates they find interesting, and create index card information fact cards.

Fourth graders investigate the characteristics of each vertebrate group. They take notes in a science journal, and in small groups create a HyperStudio slideshow presentation to present information about a specific vertebrate group.

Fifth graders engage in a lesson that investigates the concept of a vertebrate. They create a class set of booklets that has information about different categories of vertebrates that encourages students to conduct research using a variety of resources.

Learners describe the development of their chosen form of vertebrate life from the past to the present in a four to six page paper. They explain the use of a phylogenetic tree, and use this to exemplify an organism's evolutionary change as well as current information on the organism's current adaptation or change of habitat.

Students identify and describe five main groups of the Phylum Chordata. They discover that the Phylum Chordata is the vertebrates. Students identify the main difference between invertebrates and vertebrates. They read passages about the different chordates.

Students explore the question, "What types of adaptations do invertebrates need to live in a methane hydrate habitat?" They design an invertebrate or vertebrate capable of living in a methane hydrate ecosystem.

Students design a deep-sea animal. In this research based lesson plan, students research and design a vertebrate or invertebrate that lives in a methane hydrate habitat. They compile a class chart of the adaptations animals have in this ecosystem.

Students explore the different types of vertebrates found in their area. In this environmental science lesson, students perform a case study on the Common Raven. They analyze data collected from research and create charts and graphs.