Curated OER
The Animal Kingdom of Vertebrates
Seventh graders classify fish according to their characteristics. In this classification lesson students learn how to group animals including birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Curated OER
What's a Mammal?
Students research his or her assigned mammal using print and online resources. In this mammals research lesson, students discover mammals have certain traits that distinguish them from animals in other classes, such as fish, reptiles,...
Curated OER
Making Cultural Connections
Students explore cultures through storytelling. They read African folktales. Students discuss characteristics of folktales. They research and write a folktale that includes an animal. Additional cross curriculum activities are included.
Curated OER
Creatures of the Grand Canyon
In this word search puzzle instructional activity, students find and circle all of the wildlife hidden in a word search puzzle. Students also classify the animals into groups of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, or amphibians.
Curated OER
Features of Shells
Students create a new shell. In this shell features lesson, students different types of shells, discuss their special features and talk about how animals use shells. Students use the Internet to research information on shells and then...
Curated OER
Pets as Good Neighbors
Students investigate proper training techniques for pets by creating a list. In this domesticated animal lesson plan, students identify traits of a good neighbor and relate those traits to a pet. Students create lists of the admirable...
Curated OER
Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Aquatic Animals
Students explore importance of marine or aquatic habitats, and investigate habitat characteristics and conditions required by various organisms to ensure survival. They then select an animal to study and design an artificial habitat...
Curated OER
ABC Wide World of Animals
Fifth graders use the software Wide World of Animals. This lesson is incorporated into a science unit on animals. The unit focuses on classifying animals into kingdoms and identifying the characteristics of animals within the different...
Curated OER
Science: Why Animals Hibernate
Second graders investigate the reasons animals hibernate. They measure their own heart rates and compare them to those of a hibernating bear. In their journals, 2nd graders record facts about and characteristics of hibernation and...
Curated OER
Skull Science
What can your class learn from a skull? With proper facilitation, they can learn about diet, physical adaptations, special differences, and even the environment. Pupils will examine a series of mammal skulls and pelts to help them...
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
Introduction to Mammals
Biology learners grasp the characteristics of mammals by viewing this succinct slide show. They learn that mammals are divided into three gestation-related groups: prototheria, metatheria, and eutheria. They examine the characteristics...
University of Wisconsin
Bimodel Botany Bouquet
Gardeners are given an individual plant specimen from a bouquet of local rain garden plants. They group up by their plant type and then make observations together, name the plant, and introduce it to the rest of the class. You then share...
Curated OER
Let Me Out! Dino Eggs
Students conduct research about animals that lay eggs such as reptiles and birds. After identifying characteristics of reptiles and discussing the connection to dinosaurs, they create a three-dimensional paper mache dinosaur egg with a...
National Wildlife Federation
Brown Pelicans
Even animals that are part of the same species have differences. Learners read a passage about white and brown pelicans and compare their features. They recognize that although the birds look very similar, they also have their own unique...
Purdue University
The Great Clearcut Controversy
Urban development and habitat retention are often at odds. A three-part lesson examines the pros and cons of forest clearcutting. Learners review data and characteristics of a specific mammal to make conclusions about the effect...
Purdue University
Explore Your Habitat
Get a hands-on look at a local habitat. A three-part activity begins with a discussion of the characteristics of a local habitat. Pupils then test their knowledge by playing a game to match animals to their habitats. Finally, they go on...
Purdue University
Reptiles, Amphibians, and the Scientific Method
What do a reptile and an amphibian have in common? A three-part lesson allows scholars to investigate the similarities and differences between the two types of animals by identifying specific body parts. The lesson highlights the...
Curated OER
Animal Categories
Students sort animal picture cards into classification groups such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and fish. They discuss the characteristics that each group of animals shares then arrange the pictures into a clasificatioon...
Curated OER
Virtual Nature Walk
Students use the internet to take a virtual nature walk. Identifying animals found in specific forest habitats, they list their characteristics. They research various animals using the internet and create a PowerPoint slideshow with the...
Curated OER
Let's Discover Communities
Second graders compare and contrast the city and the country. After reading books about animals, 2nd graders create picture cards of animals in both the country and city environment. In partners, students draw pictures of animals,...
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Second graders identify characteristics of and group animals by the five categories of vertebrates.
Curated OER
Habitats
Students examine how different living things interact with their environment. As a class, they discuss the characteristics of a habitat and write the list on the board. In groups, they focus on one habitat and create a mural of the...
Curated OER
Are You One Of Us?
Students discover how to classify things based on their similarities and differences. Students give the characteristics of insects and create a classification list. Given examples of various types of insects, students classify them...