Students discuss the contributions of different organisms to our world. In this biology activity, students research countries with limited food supply. They create an improvement plan for a fictitious country assigned to them.

Seventh graders examine the physical features of an amphibian.  In this investigative lesson students compare and contrast the anatomy of a frog to a human. 

Students engage in a lab which introduces them to fossils and paleontology. They examine eleven numbered boxes containing fossils which are related to the questions on this lab then answer questions on a lab sheet imbedded in this plan.

Pupils examine amphibian evolution by comparing fossils with a modern-day skeleton. They experience the scientific thought process of drawing conclusions from limited paleontological data. Student groups align the figures with the time...

Has a large group of vertebrate fossil pictures, a guide on preparing fossils, and much more.

Some vertebrates have fins and some have limbs with digits to move across land. Discover these creatures with limbs and digits from who they are to who they were and how they evolved.

Explains the features of animals defined as vertebrates, how they evolved, and their taxonomy. (Published: April 29, 2010)

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Vertebrates are animals with backbones. These include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Learn more about vertebrate characteristics in this learning...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] An overview of vertebrate evolution and when important vertebrate traits evolved.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses three types of reproductive strategies for vertebrates.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] An overview of characteristics and traits of vertebrates.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers the nine classes of vertebrates and their distinguishing traits.

Flip this interactive OLogy card to find a definition, fast facts, questions and answers, and other bite-size pieces of information about the characteristics of vertebrates.

Learn about the characteristics and diversity of vertebrate animals.

In this lesson, 5th graders use movement and dance composition to aid in the understanding of vertebrates and invertebrates.

This lesson serves as an introduction to classification. The students will place animals into its proper vertebrate group according to certain characteristics that the animals have in common.

This resource details the process by which vertebrate fossils should be excavated and preserved in order to conserve them for as long as possible. It also includes information about the role of amateur fossil collectors and museums.

Learn about vertebrates found in the ocean, their individual methods of adaptations, identifying characteristics and contributions to the marine ecosystem.

This University of California Berkeley page provides information on the evolution of vertebrate flight and includes links to the following topics: Introduction to Flight, The Physics of Flight, Gliders and Parachuters, The Evolution of...

An article and discussion questions about the recently identified sharks native to the cold Greenland waters as the oldest vertebrates ever studied.

The characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates are described here. Includes a list of examples for each group and a chart highlighting their differences.

What is a vertebrate? Students learn about these animals that have backbones such as mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles.

A basic overview of the characteristics of vertebrates. Explore why vertebrates are so smart and test your knowledge with a vertebrate quiz! Also included is a slideshow of different vertebrates.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about vertebrate kidneys. Modules include Freshwater Vertebrates, Amphibians, Lizards and Snakes, Birds, Mammals, Marine Fishes. Resources can be used as classroom notes or supplemental materials.