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...
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: Animals
Scholars explore the animal kingdom with help from two texts, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey and A Bed for the Winter by Karen Wallace. The literature and informational text set the learning stage for thoughtful discussion and...
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)...
Super Teacher Worksheets
Mammal Scavenger Hunt Activity
Did you know that a polar bear's skin is actually black? Or that the lightest mammal weighs less than a paperclip? Young scientists learn these and other amazing facts about mammals as they explore the animal kingdom with...
Mr. Jones's Science Class
Periodic Table Project
Don't be fooled by the title; this is not really a lesson on elements. It is a project on classification, using the periodic table as an example. For that reason, it could be used in any branch of science. As an example, a group may...
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...
New South Wales Department of Education
Invertebrates
Of all invertebrates, insects by far are the most numerous. Scholars discuss invertebrates and then use a key to classify them. They see different examples and must describe features of each organism based upon the key.
ARKive
Temperate Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest
Explore the amazing temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest. Your class starts by investigating the animals and plants of the Northwest, specifically Washington, and then research an animal population common to the area. In small...
Scholastic
Minibeasts
Lead young scientists to discover insects outdoors. After investigating, students will record observations, learn about these fascinating creatures, craft, and role play.
New South Wales Department of Education
Plant Features
Pine needles are actually modified leaves. In the 16th installment of 20, young scientists explore plants. Through an analysis of leaves — shape, veins, and edges — pupils see how to classify plants based on structural features.
National Science Teachers Association
Adopt-a-Dino
Earth historians research a specific dinosaur, write a paper about the Mesozoic era that it lived in, create an artistic rendition of the environment, and give a presentation in class about what they learned. Be aware that there are...
Read Works
Read Works: Animals Get Ready
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about how different types of animals prepare for winter. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Animal Sign Guide
Use this guide to help you identify signs from different animals in the wilderness. Identify tracks, chew marks, signs from animals that build, eggs, and the like.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: How Biodiverse Is Your Backyard?
In this science activity, you will investigate the diversity (or biodiversity) of the animal life around your home and try to figure out which phylum most of the animals belong to.
BBC
Bbc: Nature Wildfacts: Eastern Grey Kangaroo
BBC Wildfacts profiles the eastern kangaroo of Australia with photographs and a fact sheet.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Live Like an Animal
In this activity, students design an innovative human shelter that is inspired and informed by an animal structure. Each group is assigned an animal class, and they gather information about shelters used by the animals in that class....
National Institute of Educational Technologies and Teacher Training (Spain)
Ministerio De Educacion: El Reino Animal 1 Bachillerato
Animals have developed complex equipment and systems, specializing in performing the three functions: nutrition, relationship and reproduction. Learn more about the animal kingdom in this unit. It includes 16 interactive activities.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Horseshoe Crabs
This site gives an in-depth description of a daddy long legs, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Scorpions
This site gives an in-depth description of a scorpion, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Sea Anemone
This site gives an in-depth description of a sea anemone, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Sea Urchins
This site gives an in-depth description of a sea urchin, including its behavior, appearance, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Tarantulas
This site gives an in-depth description of a tarantula, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Starfish
This site gives an in-depth description of a starfish, including its behavior, appearance, reproduction, and classification. The site includes photos and illustrations and an interactive quiz to test your understanding.