Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kingdom Animalia

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the basic characteristics of the animal kingdom. this lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. For this segment, students explore the the members of a few phyla of the animal kingdom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bug's Eye View

For Teachers K - 5th
Investigate the life of bugs and how they interact with the environment in this integrated science and language arts instructional activity. Young scientists construct mini environments in cages in order to make observations. This data...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Dive In: Biology At The Beach

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Continue the spirit of summer by studying marine life in your classrooms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amphibians-Frog Dissection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the anatomy of a fish to an amphibian and that of an amphibian (frog) to a human. They complete a virtual frog dissection to gain some experience prior to the real dissection.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invertebrate Vocabulary-- Marine Invertebrate Match

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this science worksheet, young scholars study 12 vocabulary words which pertain to marine invertebrates. Students read the definitions which include pronunciation, part of speech and meaning of the name. Young scholars then look at 16...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Classification System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create classification system for Arctic-dwelling animals, the Arctic hare in particular.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Embryology as Evidence of Evolution

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students observe the two major developmental pathways (protostome and deuterostome). They analyze data regarding differences in nucleotide sequences and construct a phylogenetic tree. They observe the similar evolutionary history shared...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Halloween: Arachnids

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in class discussion about the movie Arachnophobia. In this biology lesson, students find articles and photos of a species that interest them. They share it with their group.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Zoology Word Search Puzzle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, learners look for the words that are related to the concept of zoology that is reviewed in the sheet. They also acquire new vocabulary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soil Organisms

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students work together to collect soil samples from different locations. In the samples, they identify the macroorganisms and classify them. They identify the conditions that affect how macroorganisms grow. They also analyze and identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Goals of the Diversity of Life Unit

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are introduced to the unit on the importance of diversity of life and the role that interdependence plays in our worlds. this is part of a multi-lesson unit on the diversity of life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Creature of the Deep

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the coelacanth, a living fossil, with a moray eel and a bull shark. They complete a Fish Anatomy worksheet while researching the skeleton, body coverings and buoyancy of each fish.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seashore Limitations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students demonstrate the movements and behaviors of creatures from different parts of the ocean.
Website
University of California

Ucmp: Web Lift to Taxa

For Students 9th - 10th
Alphabetical listing from the University of California of info on each of the animal phyla. Includes scientific and common names and photos. Characteristics of each group are explained in detail.
Activity
PBS

Pbs: The Shape of Life: Activities and Resources: Phylum Comparison [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Students explore eight major phyla of the animal kingdom by comparing body plans, animal behavior, evolution, reproduction, and more. Includes a one-page reference to characteristics by phylum.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Phylum Mollusca (Mollusks)

For Students 9th - 10th
A great, detailed description of mollusks. Discusses parts of their external and internal anatomy and their functions, and lists several characteristics of mollusks. Tabbed pages include pictures, specimens and classification.
Handout
Untamed Science

Untamed Science: Phylum Chordata

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the characteristics, classification, and phylogeny that make the Phylum Chordata, a distinct animal classification group. See examples and photos of different species of chordates.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Phylum Chordata (Chordates)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a listing of additional characteristics that many Chordates have in common beyond the typical four: notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Cnidaria

For Students 9th - 10th
This site by Animal Diversity Web discusses the different body types and the similar characteristics of the animals in the phylum Cnidaria.
Handout
University of California

Ucmp: Introduction to Chordata

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from UC Berkeley is an excellent site about the animal phylum chordata. Click on various sections to learn more, covering topics such as the fossil record, life history & ecology, systematics, and morphology. This site is a...
Handout
BiologyWise

Biology Wise: Characteristics of Arthropods

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes general characteristics of Arthropoda and features of the different animal classes within this phylum.
Handout
BiologyWise

Biology Wise: Classification and Characteristics of Rotifers

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines the classification hierarchy of the phylum Rotifera and describes their characteristics and anatomy. Rotifera have survived for up to 80 million years and continue to play an important role in ecological systems.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Phylum Arthropoda

For Students 9th - 10th
This general overview of the arthropod phylum, which includes insects and arachnids, looks at such topics as body symmetry, appendages, movement, respiratory and nervous systems, and reproduction.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Class Merostomata (Horseshoe Crab)

For Students 9th - 10th
Find general information about the Merostomata class, which includes horseshoe crabs and the extinct eurypterids. Topics include diet, body charactersitics, and respiratory system.