National Wildlife Federation
Tricky Tracks
While wildlife may not always be visible, they leave their marks behind for people to discover. A wildlife lesson has pupils explore the characteristics of animal tracks. They learn different types of tracks, as well as what tracks tell...
Scholastic
Study Jams! The Kingdoms of Life
Life science learners discuss the characteristics of five kingdoms of life: animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria in this video. Viewers find out from the dialogue that scientists group organisms according to similarities. This...
Virginia Department of Education
Classification of Organisms
Searching for the perfect indoor/outdoor activity that allows class members the opportunity to learn about organism classification? Here, pupils research organisms and categorize them according to domain and kingdom over the course...
Curated OER
Classification of Animals
This is one of the better presentations I've seen on the classification of animals. Youngsters view slides that introduce the characteristics of each of the animals groups through the use of photographs and text. Then, they are given...
PreKinders
Wild Animal Word Cards
Take a walk on the wild side with a set of animal vocabulary cards! Each card includes a picture of an animal and its name in large print for kids to read.
Channel Islands Film
Dark Water: Lesson Plan 2 - Grade 3
A discussion of bioluminescence launches an investigation of animal adaptations. After re-watching the opening minutes of Dark Water, class members listen to a reading of What Do You Do with a Tail Like This, and then create a new...
Larson Lab
Animal Classification
How are animals classified? Scholars explore animal classification by observing non-living and living specimens. They learn how to organize animals into vertebrates and invertebrates and identify the five vertebrate groups: mammals,...
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Third graders differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates, and identify the main characteristics of mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. They sort and categorize different types of balls, discuss the characteristics...
Curated OER
Invent an Animal
Students recognize how animal adaptations help animals survive in their environment. In this characteristics lesson, students create an original animal that can adapt to a specific habitat. Students create a model of their...
Curated OER
Animal Identification Keys
A clever presentation introduces youngsters to animal identification keys. On the first slide, viewers choose an animal and then answer yes-or-no questions about its characteristics. When they have completed the process, they click on a...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Classification of Living Things
It's a classification sensation! Demystify why we classify using an inquiry activity that helps your class sort things out. Groups begin by classifying a variety of shoes before they research organisms and design their own dichotomous...
Curated OER
Animal Structure and Function
Take a look at the levels of organization and methods of homeostasis in living things. This worksheet requires biology enthusiasts to list categories of animal tissues, connective tissues, and muscle tissues. It has them order the levels...
Scholastic
Study Jams! The Kingdoms of Life
Zoe and RJ discuss the way scientists classify organisms into five kingdoms. Characteristics of each group are highlighted within their conversation and with text. First-time taxonomists can view the animation at home, take the...
National Wildlife Federation
Links in the Chain of Life
A small little ant can have a large impact on its ecosystem. Young researchers explore the different species that live in a plains ecosystem. They find the characteristics of several species and then compare species to determine how...
National Wildlife Federation
Call of the Wild: Grades 5-8
Teach animal lovers how to decipher frog speak. Classes learn about the different calls using audio clips. They then imitate the calls as a group and make a recording. The challenge is to try to recognize individual sounds—can they do it?
Curated OER
Dining Out With Fishes and Birds of the Hudson
The class will make observations to determine how environment has shaped the way particular birds and fish eat. They will view a series of photographs, read two short articles, and then consider how food availability has determined how...
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
Characteristics of Living Things
Students examine the characteristics of living things. They list the differences between living and non-living things, explore areas around the school, and create a Venn diagram for items found in the school areas.
Curated OER
Life in a Drop of Water
Students examine the structure, function, and characteristics of microscopic organisms that inhabit freshwater through collection of water samples and observation through microscopes.
Virginia Department of Education
Animal Phyla and Plant Divisions
Searched hours for an activity that allows individuals the ability to use multiple resources to learn about both plant and animal kingdoms? This discussion and activity provide pupils with the ability to visualize each organism...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Seasons of a Plant
The third in a series of six lessons is an engaging three-part activity defines that discusses phenology, focusing on the cyclic seasons of plants. Pupils then observe phenology outside before determining how climate change can...
Pace University
Grade 6-8 Living Things
What characterizes a living thing? Scholars explore the concept during a differentiated instruction unit on living things. They perform lab experiments to determine how animals adapt to stimuli, watch videos and learn about...
Curated OER
Animal Sounds
Students listen to books about animals. In this animal sound and characteristics lesson, students listen to books and a tape of animal and then identify which animal makes that sound. Students discuss and act out how the animal acts.
Columbus City Schools
Get Your Organisms Organized
From large to small, show your class how to organize them all! Included within the guide is everything you need to take their knowledge of classification from the cellular to the species level. The worksheets focus on...