K-State Research and Extensions
You Ol’ Fossil
Geologists are gneiss, tuff, and a little bit wacke. The fifth chapter of seven includes ten activities at four different levels. The hands-on activities cover fossils including how they are formed, vertebrates, invertebrates,...
Curated OER
Classification of Animals
This is one of the better presentations I've seen on the classification of animals. Youngsters view slides that introduce the characteristics of each of the animals groups through the use of photographs and text. Then, they are given...
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Life in a Forest Stream
Students assess macro-invertebrates from a stream. In this science lesson plan, students observe, classify and identify organisms found in a stream. A lab station is constructed at the stream sight and students study the different...
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Through the Eyes of an Owl
Learners describe vertebrates in terms of observable body parts and characteristics and describe life cycles of familiar organisms. They identify familiar organisms as part of a food chain or food web and describe their feeding...
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 and vertebrates...
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Invertebrates and Vertebrate Evolution
Students explore the major characteristics of the major animal phyla. They describe adaptive features that have contributed to the success of animals on land. Students explain how primate evolution provides a context for understanding...
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Art: Go Ahead and Bug Me!
Pupils research arthropods, and identify the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates. After comparing and contrasting insects and arachnids, they create drawing of them that are anatomically correct. Students place their...
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Three Dimensional Art of Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Young scholars, during this twelve week series of lessons, learn basic anatomy through life sketches of human skeletons and shells. They learn fundamentals of line and convey life through sketches learning science through art.
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Have a Backone
Students create a visual organizer that describes different groups of vertebrates in this pre-writing activity. They view and discuss a video on descriptive writing and then form small groups to research vertebrate classes using the...
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Learning About Classification
Learners explore the three main organismal divisions. Students classify organisms by invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. They observe the differences and similarities between these groups.
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Spineless - YES... Helpless - NO!
Students distinguish between invertebrate and vertebrate organisms while examining the zoological classes of a number of invertebrates. They illustrate a food web of these organisms and investigate the impact of humans on the oceanic...
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Mighty Macroinvertebrates
Seventh graders identify the names and features of macroinvertebrates found in Turtle River. In this ecology lesson students use digital microscopes and take pictures of invertebrates.
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What is an Animal Reading?
Students read an article out of their science book. In this vertebrates and invertebrates lesson plan students complete a worksheet and answer questions after reading.
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Animal Classification
Students watch video and slide shows as an introduction to animals. They discuss classifications of animals while moving from most common to least common of the animals. Types of classifications includes herbivores/carnivores;...
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Animal Classification
In this animal classification worksheet, students will write in 5 examples of vertebrate animals and 6 examples of invertebrates. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
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Animals, Soil, Trees
Fourth graders describe the various kinds of soils and how plants and animals are affected by them. They describe the baic needs of plants, scoring at least a 3 or 4 on a 4-point rubic. Students are able to predict and/or infer what...
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What Lives In A Shell?
Second graders study the readily observable characteristics of marine invertebrates, 2nd graders research the invertebrates and complete worksheets in this series of lessons.
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How Are Animals Classified?
In this animal classification worksheet, students describe the animal kingdom including invertebrates, vertebrates, birds, and mammals. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
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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...
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Comparative Embryological Study of
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.
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Invertebrate Classification
Young scholars discuss the recent disovery of the "furry lobster" to peak interest in the animal kingdom. They classify various speciments using invertebrate dichotomous keys, identifying major animal phyla and classes. Thy the complete...
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Animal Classifications
Third graders work in small groups to investigate how to sort a variety of items into groups and subgroups. They work on a class chart based on the activity which show how the items are classified based on commonalities. Upon completion...
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The World of Living Things
The World of Living Things is the focus of this biology presentation. Students view a presentation which introduces them to cells, parts of cells, microorganisms, and simple vs. complex animals. They see that they are classified as a...
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Animal Classification
Students 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...