Help your students take a closer look at the world around them. The topics in each component, as well as the components themselves, are best covered sequentially, however, each component may be used alone. At the beginning of each component is a brief overview of the component, the learning expectations for the activities, and suggestions for implementing the activities. The implementation suggestions are presented as ideas only. It is not intended that any or all need be implemented to use the activity pages. At the end of each component is a two-page quiz. Many of the activities can be integrated into other areas of the curriculum. Students will classify organisms and observe the similarities and differences among them. Integrated across the curriculum, these 45 activities focus on science, language arts, social studies, and art.

This resource is divided into four categories:

1. classification
2. processes of life
3. under the microscope
4. the animal kingdom

Overall Student Expectations Include:

1. Explain why formal classification systems are usually based on structural characteristics rather than on physical appearance or behavioral characteristics.
2. Identify various kinds of classification systems that are based on specific criteria and used to organize information.
3. Identify inherited characteristics and learned or behavioral characteristics.
4. Explain why some characteristics related to physical appearance (i.e., size, shape, color, texture) or behavior are not suitable attributes for classifying living things.
5. Identify various kinds of plant or animal organisms in each sample using identification keys.
6. Describe specific characteristics or adaptations that enable each group of vertebrates to live in its habitat and explain the importance of maintaining that habitat for the survival of the species.
7. Explain how fossils provide evidence of changes in animal’s over geological time.
8. Compare similarities and differences between fossils and animals of the present.
9. Identify and describe the characteristics of vertebrates and use these characteristics to classify vertebrates as mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
10. Identify and describe the characteristics of invertebrates and classify invertebrates into phyla (i.e., sponges, worms, mollusks, arthropods).
11. Compare the characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates.
12. Compare the characteristics of different kinds of arthropods.
13. Describe microscopic living things using appropriate tools.
14. Describe ways in which microorganisms meet their basic needs (i.e., for food, water, etc.).
15. Formulate questions about and identify the needs of different types of animals. Explore possible answers to these questions and ways of meeting these needs.
16. Use appropriate vocabulary and science terminology when describing investigations, explorations and observations.
17. Compile data gathered through investigation, to record and present results, using tally charts, tables, and graphs.
18. Communicate the procedures and results of investigations.

Introduction:

• Unit Overview
• Teacher Input
• Planning Ahead
• Vocabulary
• Student Assessment Rubric
• Teacher Assessment Rubric  

Lesson Topics: 

Teacher suggestions and resources can be found at the beginning of each component. These pages give a brief overview of each topic, the learning expectations for the component and ideas for planning ahead and implementing the section. 

Classification

This component introduces the concept of classification as a method for making order of things and information in our lives. The students will develop an awareness of the five kingdoms of living things and how they are classified scientifically. The students will use information cards, charts, tables, graphs, tree diagrams and identification keys as they investigate the classification of the animal kingdom. 

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • Living Things Crossword Puzzle
  • #1 Why Classify?
  • #2 The Five Kingdoms
  • #3 The Scientific Classification of Plants and Animals
  • Classification Quiz
• Answer Key 

The Processes of Life

This component introduces the characteristics of living things. The students will develop an awareness of the life processes common to all living things. They will be introduced to metabolism, reproduction, growth, movement, response and adaptation as the basic functions necessary for the survival of all organisms. This component lends itself to numerous student investigations involving small organisms and their response to changes in environment, adaptations that allow them to survive in their environment or feeding and growth characteristics, etc. Simple investigations with earthworms, meal worms, and other small creatures could be the focus of additional activities. Students might also investigate the various systems of the body (i.e., respiratory, digestive, etc.). 

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • #1 Staying Alive
  • #2 Heredity
  • #3 Adapting to Change
  • The Processes of Life Quiz
• Answer Key 

Under the Microscope 

This component investigates microscopic organisms. The students will investigate ways

microorganisms meet their needs for food, air, movement, reproduction, etc. They will use a microscope to observe microorganisms, which will involve collecting samples of plant cells and water organisms. They will make their own slides. Students will record their observations inwriting and diagrams. 

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • #1 The Cell
  • #2 The Microscope
  • #3 Microscope Investigation #1
  • #4 The Kingdom of Monerans
  • #5 The Kingdom of the Protists
  • #6 Microscopic Life Investigation 2
  • Under the Microscope Quiz
• Answer Key 

The Animal Kingdom 

This component introduces the classification of animals with attention to the identification and description of the characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates. Students will classify vertebrates and invertebrates into phyla. Using charts and tables, comparisons will be made of different vertebrates and arthropods. A research project on vertebrates and invertebrates will be completed. 

• Teacher Notes
• Student Activities
  • #1 Backbone or No Backbone Information Card #1
  • #2 Backbone or No Backbone Vocabulary Info Check #1
  • #3 Backbone or No Backbone Info Check #2
  • #4 Vertebrates Diagram and Worksheet
  • #5 Invertebrates Diagram and Worksheet
  • #6 Comparing Arthropods
  • #7 The Research Assignment
  • #8 Animal Kingdom Wordsearch
  • The Animal Kingdom Quiz
• Answer Key