Biology Junction
Phylum Porifera – The Sponges
They may not look like it, but sponges are living, breathing creatures! A PowerPoint presentation explains the important characteristics of the invertebrate Phylum Porifera, or more commonly known as the sponges. From their body...
Curated OER
Kingdom Animalia: Sponges, Cnidarians, Flatworms, and Roundworms
As you work through the biological hierarchy, visit several phyla within the animal kingdom. This PowerPoint introduces viewers to characteristics and reproduction in sponges, cnidarian, flatworms, and roundworms. Make sure to add the...
Curated OER
The Sponges
In this sponge instructional activity, students read about the different parts of a sponge and answer 20 short answer questions that follow. They color and label different sponge drawing.
Curated OER
Classification of an Invertebrate: Sponge
Students investigate the invertebrate sponge. In this invertebrates lesson plan, students observe the sponge, Grantia, using a dissecting microscope. Students answer questions about their observations and view six other invertebrates....
Curated OER
Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges
Learners investigate the role of sponges in our oceans. In this biology lesson, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process. Learners discuss the connections...
Curated OER
Sponges
For this sponges worksheet, students will explore the characteristics of sponges including their different types of cells and body structures. Students will also determine how sponges reproduce. This worksheet has 3 short answer and 11...
Curated OER
The Giant Barrel Sponge
Students study barrel sponges. In this science and art lesson, students discuss what sponges are, create their own sponge, and share what they created with the rest of the class.
Curated OER
Filter-Feeding in Reef Sponges
Students make observations and describe the filter-feeding in sponges as it relates to the ecological role of sponges on coral reefs. In this filter-feeding in reef sponges lesson, students are introduced to the feeding methods of...
Curated OER
Sponges - A Coloring Worksheet
In this sponges worksheet, students read the information about sponges. Students answer the provided questions about the reading passage. Students color the illustration at the bottom of the page.
Biology Junction
Introduction to Animals
Out of all animals, elephants alone lack the ability to jump. Scholars learn all about animals using a presentation full of fun examples. It describes different types of animals, the biological similarities and differences between...
Curated OER
Dive In: Biology At The Beach
Continue the spirit of summer by studying marine life in your classrooms.
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Pupils list characteristics and features of animals found in their community. They then group the animals according to how they are similar and different and create names for each group. They then create a chart of their classification...
Curated OER
Poriferans and Cnidarians
Students study the major phyla of the animal kingdom. In this biology lesson unit, students identify their general characteristics. They define taxonomy terminologies.
University of California
Ucmp: Porifera
Detailed site, lots of pictures, and easy to understand descriptions of the phylum known as Porifera. This one is a winner!
University of California
Ucmp: Phylum Porifera
Click on the name of the class of sponge you want to know about, and you'll see a picture and a description of it.
University of California
Ucmp: Uc Museum of Paleontology/ Fossil Records of Porifera
Takes a look at the fossils of sponges, and describes what they mean in terms of evolution.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Sponges
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Sponges are classified in the phylum Porifera, from the Latin words meaning "having pores." Sponges are sessile, meaning they cannot move, so they filter water...
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botantical Garden: Sponges!
This site from The Evergreen Project gives an easy to understand description of the Sponges.
Other
Coe College: Hermit Crab Sponges
An interesting article about a kind of sponge that a hermit crab carries around on its back.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Sponge
Wikipedia offers detailed information on sponges, or poriferans, animals of the phylum Porifera.
University of California
Ucmp: Morphology of Sponges
This site from the University of California discusses the structure of sponges and how these primitive animals manage to exist.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Sponges
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses characteristics of sponges.
Other
Sponges, Phylum Porifera
Discusses sponges that may be kept in salt-water aquariums, along with what they need to live. Good general information.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sponge Lab: Experimenting With Absorption
Students investigate the properties of synthetic and natural sponges in this activity, to determine the capacity of each to absorb water. Afterward, they discuss other questions they have about sponges, and complete an assessment in...