Curated OER
Mammals Have Fur
First graders study animals. In this animal classification instructional activity, 1st graders explore the characteristics (primarily fur) that distinguish animals as mammals. They work in groups at various stations that practice this...
Curated OER
Amphibians-Frog Dissection
Students compare the anatomy of a fish to an amphibian and that of an amphibian (frog) to a human. They complete a virtual frog dissection to gain some experience prior to the real dissection.
Curated OER
Elementary Animal Classification
Students investigate eight basic animal groups, and identify the different groups through knowledge of animal characteristics, changes, and life cycles of each group.
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Breathing
Crazy fact: Some animals can survive months without oxygen. An online resource describes some unique ways animals collect oxygen and even live without it for an extended time. Learners read about these special animals and use pop-up...
Curated OER
Where do Butterflies Come From?
After tapping into their memories or experiences of baby animals, viewers delve into the insect life cycle of a butterfly and the amphibian life cycle of a frog. When exploring life cycles, show this presentation to your elementary life...
ARKive
Species Discovery
How many of your students know that even today new species are being found all over the globe? Introduce them to the amazing diversity our planet houses with a creative activity about animal variation and classification. They'll use a...
Curated OER
Biology In Elementary Schools
Students classify animals into six major animal groups and describe the characteristics of the animals found within each group. In this living and non-living animals lesson, students observe a variety of animals, both living and...
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Crocodile Eyes
Learners investigate the eyes and eyelids of reptiles and amphibians. In this animal biology lesson, students listen to a lecture on the characteristics of amphibians and reptiles and complete a crocodile eyelid activity sheet.
Curated OER
Toad Adobe
Students explore the importance of toads and the need for toad habitats in the environment. In this animal habitats lesson, students create an adobe habitat for toads by using a clay pot. Students paint their pots and place them in their...
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Hatching chickens
Students recognize the need for gentle care of eggs. In this chicken hatching lesson, students observe the process of incubating eggs for hatching. Students find the materials needed to properly care for the chicks. Students complete a...
Curated OER
What's Wild
Third graders discover the differences between wild and domestic animals. In this animal lesson, 3rd graders chart the differences in the animals and look through magazines for pictures of wild and domestic animals to glue to a poster....
Smarter Balanced
Classifying Vertebrates
What features do scientists use to classify animals into groups? Class groups examine a series of paired images of vertebrates (a bass and a trout, a toad and a newt, a crocodile and a tortoise, an owl and a robin, a tiger and a bear)...
Curated OER
Ribbit! Ribbit!
Students research a frog's life cycle and habitat using books, the Internet and lecture. Students make origami frogs, write letters to Toad from Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" and participate in a simulated camouflage activity.
Curated OER
Science: Vocabulary Memory Game
Fourth graders increase their comprehension of science terms by playing a vocabulary matching game. In small groups, they take turns trying to match vocabulary terms with the correct definitions. Missed words are added to the students'...
Curated OER
Watchable Wildlife Checklist
In this wildlife worksheet, students will read over a list of 28 native animal species, their needs, and interesting characteristics. This list can be used as a checklist when out on a hike or in the school yard to identify common wildlife.
Curated OER
Desert Animals
Students survive within an ecosystem, an animal must be physically and behaviorally adapted to the conditions of its environment.
Curated OER
Circulatory Systems
Excellent diagrams, labels and summaries make this resource be valuable to your students throughout the topic of circulation. All types of circulation vessels are explained, their structure and function is detailed, and the overall...
Curated OER
Amazon Alphabet
Students create an alphabetic Amazon animal mural, illustrating the diversity of life in the tropical rain forest of the Amazon Basin.
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...
ARKive
Turtle Life Cycle
Explore the wonders of the life cycle by first focusing on the growth and development of the green turtle. The class will discuss the life cycle of different plants and animals, then turn their attention to the green turtle. They view a...
Curated OER
Identifying Vertebrates
In this biology worksheet, students look for the answers to how to classify animals. They specifically focus upon the vertebrates while differentiating the characteristics from other organisms.
Curated OER
Reconstructing a Fossil Pterosaur
Students reconstruct the skeleton of the fossil Scaphognathus crassirostis. In this fossil lesson plan, students discuss the Kingdoms of life, geologic history and the history of the skeletons of species. Students are given 20 minutes to...
Curated OER
Creating a Classification System
Students create classification system for Arctic-dwelling animals, the Arctic hare in particular.
Curated OER
Sorting Pond
Pupils practice balancing while learning the classifications of different animals