Day Eight - Physical Characteristics of Animals
Objective:
Identify differences in the characteristics of animals.
Explain the importance and uses of varying physical attributions of animals.
Materials:
Pictures of different animals, organized in groups of two
Large paper
Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils
Lesson:
Discuss with students that animals, like plants, have certain "parts," but that all animals are different and are comprised of different characteristics. Show pictures of animals, two at a time, and have students raise their hands and share what physical characteristics the animals have in common and what they have that is different. Then ask the class what physical characteristics or parts they think all animals have. Make a list on the board and then go through each part and see if they can come up with an animal that doesn't have that part. Once you have a list of all the parts that are consistent with all animals, add any remaining parts that you feel the children missed and discuss these parts with them.
Talk to students about some of the physical differences they saw in the pictures of the animals. What are the purposes of these features? Is there a reason they are different for each animal? Discuss the reasons for different characteristics such as legs, beaks/mouths, color/patters etc. Help students understand that each of these characteristics that differs between animals serves a purpose to help the animal in some way.
To assess students' comprehension of the importance of different characteristics, have kids in groups of 2 or 3 create their own animal. Make sure that they choose features based on their uses. Have them draw a picture of their animal and then share with the class, explaining why they chose each part.
Differentiation:
There is no real differentiation for this lesson because the work is in groups.
Assessment:
The Create Your Own Creature activity can be used to evaluate students' grasp on the value of some physical characteristics and how they can be used by animals.
Homework:
Tell someone at home about the animal you created in class today. Explain to them why you gave the animal each of its characteristics and for what each one is used.
Identify differences in the characteristics of animals.
Explain the importance and uses of varying physical attributions of animals.
Materials:
Pictures of different animals, organized in groups of two
Large paper
Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils
Lesson:
Discuss with students that animals, like plants, have certain "parts," but that all animals are different and are comprised of different characteristics. Show pictures of animals, two at a time, and have students raise their hands and share what physical characteristics the animals have in common and what they have that is different. Then ask the class what physical characteristics or parts they think all animals have. Make a list on the board and then go through each part and see if they can come up with an animal that doesn't have that part. Once you have a list of all the parts that are consistent with all animals, add any remaining parts that you feel the children missed and discuss these parts with them.
Talk to students about some of the physical differences they saw in the pictures of the animals. What are the purposes of these features? Is there a reason they are different for each animal? Discuss the reasons for different characteristics such as legs, beaks/mouths, color/patters etc. Help students understand that each of these characteristics that differs between animals serves a purpose to help the animal in some way.
To assess students' comprehension of the importance of different characteristics, have kids in groups of 2 or 3 create their own animal. Make sure that they choose features based on their uses. Have them draw a picture of their animal and then share with the class, explaining why they chose each part.
Differentiation:
There is no real differentiation for this lesson because the work is in groups.
Assessment:
The Create Your Own Creature activity can be used to evaluate students' grasp on the value of some physical characteristics and how they can be used by animals.
Homework:
Tell someone at home about the animal you created in class today. Explain to them why you gave the animal each of its characteristics and for what each one is used.