(Designed for grades 1-3)
Purpose:
To identify each of the five major groups of vertebrates, as well as to identify similarities and differences among the groups.
Lab length:
30 minutes
Background:
There are millions of species of animals on earth. Some of these species are very different from each other, while others share similar characteristics. Scientists use these shared characteristics to place living things into various categories. Classifying animals in this way makes it easier for zoologists to study earth’s biodiversity. This lab will focus on Linnaeus’ system of Classification, which is a scientific sorting based on physical characteristics. Students will be given toy animals to sort into 5 baskets in order to draw inferences, a key skill in critical thinking. Students will be able to analyze and describe why animals are classified as they are.
This program meets the following Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and is STEAM compliant:
SC.1.L.14.1- Make observations of living things and their environment using the five senses.
SC.3.L.15.1- Classify animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, live births and lay eggs) according to physical characteristics and behavior.
SC.1.N.1.2- Using the five senses as tools, make careful observations, describe objects in terms of number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and motion, and compare their observations with others.
SC.2.N.1.2- Compare the observations made by different groups using the same tools.
SC.3.N.1.6- Infer based on observation.
