Curated OER
Reptiles
Students investigate reptiles and reptile habitats. They listen to books, cut out magazine pictures of reptiles from National Geographic, sort plastic animals into the categories of mammal, reptile, or amphibian, watch a National...
National Science Teachers Association
Hop into Action
Young scientists find out what makes amphibians such unique and interesting animals in this simple life science lesson. After looking at pictures and discussing the characteristics of amphibians, learners complete a series...
Curated OER
Kids for Conservation: Animal Unit
Students discuss animal needs and characteristics. In this animal mini-unit, students complete three activities studying different animals, their needs, how they have evolved, and how to protect them.
Curated OER
Lori Schmidt's Lovely Lesson
Students color code a world map by region to show the different amphibians and reptiles that live there. They discuss the Nile Crocodile, Snapping Turtle, Komodo Dragon, Indian Python, and Lacertidae. When completed, they create a key...
Curated OER
Scales, Scutes, and Skins
Students identify the various adaptations of reptiles and amphibians. After distinguishing between reptiles and amphibians, students discuss the ways in which their adaptations aid in their survival. They participate in a hands on...
Curated OER
The Anaconda
Learners examine basic facts about the anaconda. They discuss the length of an anaconda, estimate the length of 33 feet, compare their estimate to the actual length, and decorate the paper snake with colored scales.
Alliance Theater
The Jungle Book Post-Show STEAM Lesson
An ecosystem is really just the flow of energy through many different living organisms. A study of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book leads to an environmental science activity in which learners study how various factors can affect...
Curated OER
Classifying Vertebrates
Second graders study animal characteristics and classification. For this animal characteristics and classifications lesson, 2nd graders determine how to classify vertebrates which include mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish....
ARKive
Adaptations to Arid Habitats
How do plants and animals survive in habitats with very little water? Explore arid ecosystems and the way their inhabitants have adapted with a lesson and science experiment. After kids listen to a presentation about adaptation, they...
Curated OER
Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Our Vertebrate Populations
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.
Curated OER
Vertebrates
Fifth graders examine the traits and characteristics of vertebrates. Identifying the key factors that make the classes of vertebrates unique, they create a children's book. They decide which material is necessary to share about the...
Curated OER
Kingdom Animalia ~ A Look at the Five Major Classes
Biological taxonomy masters examine the five main classes under phylum chordata. Pupils compare and contrast the identifying characteristics of the various organisms. They explain why taxonomy is important in classifying organisms. You...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas: Chickens Aren't the Only Ones
Students read Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of animals that come from eggs. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies,...
Curated OER
Animals Finding Rice Paddies
Fourth graders examine the animals who live in rice paddies and create a chart. In this rice lesson, 4th graders link the types of animals living in each ecosystem with a bar graph. Students use colored bars to show...
Curated OER
Animals Project for German Students
Who doesn't love animals? Young learners will be excited to develop their vocabulary and categorize animals into different lists. This includes a fun extension activity that encourages the older learners to create a PowerPoint...
Curated OER
Estimating Turtle Size and Age
Students investigate how to estimate the age and size of turtles, and examine variability in scientific data. They read an informational handout, identify the parts of the shell, measure the shell and estimate the age, and record the...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Animal Classes and Their Ecosystems
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an environment identification activity. In this animal habitat lesson, students discuss a range of different wild life and the ecosystems that they are a part of. Students view...
Curated OER
Focus on Food Chains
Third graders collect and analyze data about food chains. They conduct Internet research about the habitat of a selected organism, write a narrative, and create a computer slideshow using Kid Pix computer software that illustrates the...
Curated OER
A Planet Full of Animals
Students study animals and practice classifying them through observation activities. In this animal classification lesson, students complete a KWL chart about animals. Students then sort pictures of animals into chart categories based on...
Curated OER
A Planet Full of Animals
Students explore a variety of animals that live on our planet. The shapes, sizes, colors, movements, and coverings of the animals are observed. The similarities and differences in the animals are grouped according to common traits.
Curated OER
Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Habitats of Birds, Fish, and Mammals on the Island and the Pacific Region
Students create habitats in jars to understand integral aspects of plants' and animals' habitats.
Curated OER
The Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Second graders study the life cycle of a butterfly by observing metamorphosis taking place in a butterfly pavilion. Students illustrate their understandings of the body parts of a caterpillar and butterfly, as well as the life cycle,...
Curated OER
Animal Parenting
Learners analyze parenting instincts. In this parenting instincts lesson, students view a drawing of animal they studies and describe what they learned about the animal. Learners teach the class about their animal and the class creates a...