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)...
Jude Mphoweh
Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Spine or no spine? Vertebrate or invertebrate? Learners sort and classify a list of animals as vertebrates or invertebrates into a graphic organizer.
Curated OER
An Episode on Australian Animals
Fifth graders identify and analyze various ecological regions of Australia in order to identify more about some of the animals that inhabit the area. Students record information they discover on a chart provided that is assessed at end...
Curated OER
What Animals Are Mammals And Birds?
In this classification worksheet, students will brainstorm animals and list them on the graphic organizer as either a mammal or a bird.
Curated OER
Dining Out With Fishes and Birds of the Hudson
While this lesson focuses on the birds and fish found on the Hudson River, it could be adapted for use in any classroom. Using a vocabulary list, learners explore the meaning of words like adaptation, habitat, barbel, and more. Then,...
Curated OER
Phylum Chordata
All major groups of vertebrates are summarized here with the characteristics of each explained. Other subphyla of chordates are listed: cephalochordata, urochordata, monotremata, marsupialia. The details are relevant but are not linked...
Curated OER
Animals Vocabulary List and Definitions
For this animal words worksheet, students match 15 words pertaining to animals to their definitions in another column. These definitions are related to the general animal kingdom.
American Museum of Natural History
Finding Fossils
How does one go about finding fossils? Find out with an informative webpage that looks at the digging process, showcases rocks and common fossils, helpful tips, and a list of archeological do's and don'ts.Â
Curated OER
Animals Galore
Third graders use structural characteristics to sort and classify animals into groups.
Curated OER
Invertebrate Diversity
Comparative anatomy prevails in the lesson exploring diversity among invertebrates. Biologists examine physical characteristics of an earthworm from phylum annelida and a meal worm from phylum insecta. They also inspect a cricket and a...
NOAA
Understanding Food Chains and Food Webs
Jump into an exploration of marine ecosystems with the first lesson in this four-part series. After first learning about crustaceans, mollusks, and other forms of sea life, young marine biologists view a PowerPoint presentation that...
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
All About Birds
For this birds worksheet, students answer 25 short answer questions about birds. They color and label the different parts of a bird and fill in the correct term given the definitions.
South Gloucestershire Council
Animal Classification: A Collaborative Sorting Activity for Key Stages 2 & 3
Introduce the logic behind a dichotomous key or administer a group performance assessment with a fun and challenging classification lesson. With explicit instructions for the teacher and for collaborative groups, as well as engaging...
Curated OER
Wildlife Variety Show: Biodiversity In Illinois
Eighth graders write a short report in first person about any plant or animal found on a list of Illinois species. They become the character of the plant or animal and give a short report describing the plant or animal.
Curated OER
Fossil Kit II
Youngsters examine four fossil replicas and chart their time periods, vertebrate or invertebrate, and the names of other organisms living at the same time. A specific fossil kit is available for sale if you do not have the same samples....
Curated OER
Adopt-An-Insect Bingo
In this biology worksheet, students select twenty-five terms relating to insects to complete their bingo card as listed on the sheet. Then they match each name or family with its correct description.
Curated OER
Animal-mania
Learners explore the concept of scientific classification systems using a guided Internet research activity. They answer specific questions on the classification of animals by exploring a different Internet link for each question.
Curated OER
Let Me Tell You About My Favorite Animal
Students create books about their favorite animals using graphic organizers.
Curated OER
Creating a Classification System
Students create classification system for Arctic-dwelling animals, the Arctic hare in particular.
Curated OER
Dinosaur Questions
Students discuss what scientists have learned about dinosaurs. They create as a entire class a chart that has questions for "scientists" written on it. They draw pictures of what a person might look like that is searching for answers...
Early Childhood Learning and Knowlege Center
My Body My Senses
In a comprehensive unit of activities, learners explore the five senses. Youngsters discover the many different body parts and their functions that allow humans to have sense of sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. The best way to...
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Young scholars 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...
Curated OER
Invertebrates
Students identify the characteristics common to all animals. In groups, they compare the characteristics between the animals and how they are divided. To end the lesson, they compare the eight phyla of invertebrates and review the...