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
Animal Signs
Students discuss the many different types of animal signs that can be used to identify and track animals. They participate in an hands-on activity in which they examine tracks, trails, homes, territory markings, and even "scat" left by...
Curated OER
Making Tracks
Students cast animal tracks on a field trip. They split up to capture tracks from different areas and use plaster of Paris to mold to the footprint. They bring casts back to class, create a negative mold and paint it black.
Curated OER
All About Arthropods
Use a dichotomous key to classify these squirmy bugs. A paragraph provides fifth graders with some background knowledge on the animal kingdom, and explains how to use a branching key for classification. They then determine which bugs...
Curated OER
Endangered Species Animal Masks
Students research endangered animals. In this animal science lesson plan, students visit suggested websites to learn more about endangered animals and create animal masks. Students need glue, cardstock, string and feathers to construct...
Curated OER
Neat Feet
Students view a video and discuss different kinds of feet found in the animal kingdom. They make prints using paint, rubber stamps and their own feet and then measure and compare the tracks.
Curated OER
Track Traces
Students explore animal characteristics by participating in an animal anatomy activity. In this animal tracks lesson, students identify the differences between specific animals and the shape of their footprints. Students utilize a...
Curated OER
Fin, Feathers, or Fur?
Students learn how to classify animals. In this animal characteristics instructional activity, students read Granddad's Animal Alphabet Book, brainstorm a list of different kinds of animals, and determine their characteristics; fur,...
Curated OER
A Walk in the Wild
Fifth graders identify characteristics of animals and their habitat. In this animal science instructional activity, 5th graders read Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking and and Animal Tracks. Students match animal tracks to the correct...
Curated OER
How Big Is A Humpback Whale?
Students explore humpback whales. In this humpback whale instructional activity, students determine the actual size of humpback whales and use diagrams to identify the major features of the humpback whale.
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Reproduction
Attracting the right mate is as important for humans as any other species. An interesting lesson teaches individuals about several strategies that animals and plants have adapted to attract their mates. From colorful nests to powerful...
Curated OER
Tracking in Wisconsin
Students examine how to identify the tracks and track patterns of some common Wisconsin animals. They examine how the footprints of these animals reveal how different feet help different animals navigate the winter snow or survive in...
Curated OER
Animals and Humans
Students identify the functions of various body parts. They participate in the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song, draw a picture of themselves and other mammals, and create a traced outline of their body that they add features to....
Curated OER
Whose Parts Do I Have? (Wings and Things)
Students identify an animal and a body part and then matches a body part to a specific animal. This will assess their ability to sort organisms and objects into groups according to their parts and describe how the groups are formed and...
Curated OER
Evergreens In Winter
In this identifying trees worksheet, students learn to identify 8 winter trees by their shapes. Students cut out flashcards with the name of the tree and its shape in silhouette.
Biology Junction
Amphibians
Biologists know of more than 2,300 living species of amphibians. Learn more about the four orders of amphibians with an interesting presentation. It explains the similarities and differences between the thousands of species of...
University of Southern California
What Lives In The Ocean?
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...
Curated OER
Cathedral in the Sea
Students construct a model giant kelp and kelp forest inhabitants based on field-guide photographs. Students also place animal cutouts in appropriate positions on or near the plant.
Curated OER
Primate Evolution
In this primate evolution worksheet, students will review the structures and functions that are characteristic of primates. Students will identify the differences between Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, and prosimians. This...
Curated OER
CyberHunt: Digging for Dinosaurs
Students discover dinosaur facts using internet research. In this 2nd - 3rd grade lesson plan, students identify various dinosaur facts. Students use internet research to answer questions regarding dinosaurs.
Curated OER
Safety With animals
Students recognize that they need to take appropriate steps when approached by an unfamiliar animal. For this dog lesson, students identify reasons not to approach an unfamiliar dog. Students learn the steps to take if a dog...
Curated OER
Monstrous Mutations
Students investigate mutations and simulate their mutation while trying to collect food. In this mutations lesson plan, students pick an identified mutation out of a paper bag. They simulate their mutation while trying to collect food...
Curated OER
TIDES
Second graders are taught the concept of camouflage through the game hide and seek. They view photographs of camouflaged animals on the TIDES website. Students create a poster that camouflages a particular animal based on what they have...
Curated OER
Beaver Ecology
Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...