Classifying AnimalsObjective: SWBAT: Classify animals into major groups vertebrates or invertebrates and their subgroups according to their physical characteristics.

Big Idea:Animals are classified into two major groups vertebrate and invertebrate and then further sorted into subgroups based on physical characteristicsEssential Question: How are animals classified?

Content Based Vocabulary Words

organism - living things / plants or animals

animals - organisms that can be made of many parts and cannot make their own food

vertebrates - animals with backbones

invertebrates - animals without backbones

Notes From The LessonLesson Focus:Classifying Animals

Essential Question: How are animals classified?

Animals are classified into two major groups vertebrate and invertebrate based on their physical characteristics

Vertebrate AnimalsAnimals with backbones.Other physical characteristicsa protective skin covering an inside skeletonblood that circulates through blood vesselslungs or gills for breathing.

Vertebrates are divided into five groupsbased on physical characteristics.

FISH * body temperature changes with its environment* breathes with gills * (most) have scales and fins* most lay eggs

AMPHIBIANS young lives in water and breathes with gills adults breath with lungs on landhave smooth, moist skinmost lay eggsbody temperature changes with its environment

REPTILES * breath with lungs* have scales or plates* most lay eggs* its body temperature changes with its environment

BIRDS* breathes with lungs* have feathers, a beak, two wings, and two feet* lay eggs* constant body temperature

MAMMALS* nurse their young with milk* give birth to live offspring* constant body temperature* breathes with lungs* have fur or hair

Invertebrate AnimalsAnimals without backbones.Some have outer covering or shell (insects, crabs, or clams)Others dont have a hard covering or shell (jellyfish or worms)Examples of invertebrates: spiders, shrimp, crayfish, sponges, sea stars, or snails.

insectscrabsclamsjellyfishwormsspidersshrimpcrayfishspongessea starssnails

Turn and TalkTurn and Talk to a buddy to discuss what you learned about classifying animals

Guided PracticeClassifying Animals Interactive GameVertebrate or Invertebrate

Group WorkThis is a silent thinking gameChoose a card and hold it up in front of youFind a classmate that holds a animal card that is in the same classification group and subgroup as your animalThink about what characteristics your animal has that makes it a fit in your groupTurn and Talk with your group to discuss your reasoning as to why the animals they are grouped together. A team representatives will share their group conclusions with the class.

Independent PracticeCut animal cards and order them according the clues given by the teacher guide sheet.

Content Writing From Lesson

Pretend you are a vertebrate animal. What animal would you be? Why? How are you different than an invertebrate animal? Describe your physical characteristics.What other category (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, or mammal) would you be classified as?

Quick Assessment Guide

Classifying Animals Quiz Choose and complete any 2 activities below. What is an animal? Write an explanation and draw an example.Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast vertebrate and invertebrate animals.Create a chart showing the physical characteristics for each classification of animals (vertebrate & invertebrate).Give examples of some invertebrate animals. Draw one and label its physical features. Explain why it is an invertebrate.