In this introduction to animals instructional activity, students complete a crossword puzzle with 47 questions on the types and characteristics of animals.

Students complete two labs. They observe the fertilization and development of sea urchin and zebrafish embryos. They examine the similarities and differences in the development of an invertebrate vs. a vertebrate animal.

One of the most diverse environments on Earth is the ocean. Young scientists explore the living things found in the ocean during an exciting seven-lesson unit. Their study includes organisms from plankton to invertebrates...

Learners examine the function of the brain. Using the internet, they research facts of the brains of vertebrates. Using clay, they make three sculptures of brains of different vertebrates and use crayola colors to color it. To end the...

Sixth graders identify the different types of vertebrate animals based upon their major characteristics, as they create collages in groups. Collages show pictures of vertebrate animals labeled with the appropriate structural...

Students explore the three main organismal divisions. Students classify organisms by invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. They observe the differences and similarities between these groups.

Using this quick activity, you can have your class review what they have learned about mammals. Learners sit in a circle, and take turns naming a mammal. This activity could be enriched by having learners go to their desks, identify a...

Students study starfish through dissection. In this biology lesson plan, students explore the lives of starfish as they view a slide show, observe parts of echinoderms, and compare the classification of the starfish with other...

In this science worksheet, students figure out the answers to 15 clues going across and down associated with vertebrate animals. Students fill in a crossword puzzle.

First graders summarize their trip to the zoo. In this summarizing lesson plan, 1st graders will study animals that they may see at the zoo including their characteristics and habitats. Once the trip is done, they create a word document...

In this biology instructional activity, learners color and label the different parts of arthropods. They complete 63 short answer and fill in the blank questions on arthropods.

Eighth graders study how and why animals are classified into eight groups in the animal kingdom. They work together to identify organisms. They use the key to determine the phylum for the included problems.

Students construct cladograms (evolutionary trees), showing how shared derived characters can be used to reveal degrees of relationship. They interpret and analyze cladograms, and determine where unclassified vertebrates would fit on a...

Young scholars are introduced to the broad categories of vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. They identify the characteristics of each group and then view slideshows and video of example species.

Finding the central idea is the focus of this lesson. Middle schoolers write descriptions of different animals using details and descriptive language. They watch a video of kids using descriptive language, and then use showing language...

In this mammals non-fiction reading comprehension worksheet, 3rd graders read a one page selection about the characteristics of mammals. They answer 10 questions based on the reading including true and false, short answer, and multiple...

A tube worm's outer covering is made of chitin, the same material that makes up the shells of lobsters and crabs. Scholars create tube worms and analyze and discuss the longevity of organisms living near cold seeps. They then discuss and...

Students analyze the similarities in different species. This lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students classify shoes to mimic the scientific categories of the classification system.

Students compare the structures and functions of viruses and bacteria relating their impact on other organisms. They review the main vertebrate groups. Students are describing the characteristics of the main group of vertebrates: ...

Students examine different kinds and characteristics of reptiles, and demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including reading strategies, inference, literal meaning, and critical analysis.

In this fish learning exercise, students will review the characteristics of fish by comparing the jaws, skeleton, and fertilization of each fish class. Then students will use a phylogenetic tree to compare the groups of fish to ancestral...

Students examine why certain animals live in only specific places throughout the world. Using animals, they classify them based on their characteristics and identify their basic needs. They also observe and compare the life cycles of...

In this reptiles learning exercise, students review reptile adaptations, amniotic egg, and the characteristics of the different reptile groups. This learning exercise has 8 fill in the blank and 19 matching questions.