Subject/Topic Area: Living Science: Animal Classification: Invertebrates vs. Vertebrates
Key Words:Invertebrates, vertebrates, animals, animal kingdom, classification, social groups, dependence
Designed By: Amanda Herbert
Time Frame:
School District:
School:
Links to Content Standards:
Science Standard 4: Living Environment
Key Idea 3: Individual organisms and species change over time.
3.1a Each animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. 3.1c In order to survive in their environment, plants and animals must be adapted to that environment. 3.2a Individuals within a species may compete with each other for food, mates, space, water, and shelter in their environment.
3.2b All individuals have variations, and because of these variations, individuals of a species may have an advantage in surviving and reproducing.
Key Idea : Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.
5.1a All living things grow, take in nutrients, breathe, reproduce, and eliminate waste.
5.1b An organism’s external physical features can enable it to carry out life functions in its particular environment. 5.2b Animals respond to change in their environment, (e.g., perspiration, heart rate, breathing rate, eye blinking, shivering, and salivating).
5.2c Senses can provide essential information (regarding danger, food, mates, etc.) to animals about their environment.
5.2d Some animals, including humans, move from place to place to meet their needs.
5.2e Particular animal characteristics are influenced by changing environmental conditions including: fat storage in winter, coat thickness in winter, camouflage, shedding of fur. 5.2f Some animal behaviors are influenced by environmental conditions. These behaviors may include: nest building, hibernating, hunting, migrating, and communicating.
5.2g The health, growth, and development of organisms are affected by environmental
Brief Summary of Unit (including curricular context and unit goals): In this unit, students will learn about the characteristics of a wide variety of animals within the animal kingdom. They will be able to understand the classification of vertebrates and invertebrates and have learning opportuties that provide exploration of different types of invertebrates and vertebrates. Students will be able to provide distinguishing characteristics of different animals within the animal kingdom. Students will also explore the advantages for animals to form social groups and to depend on each other for survival.
Identify Desired Results Established Goals:
Students will be able to identify the difference between verebrates and invertebrates.
Students will be able to explain animal relationships in the animal kingdom.
What Understandings are Desired? Students will understand that...
That certain animals form social groups.
Groupings and relationships are advantageous to animals.
Diversity in animals keeps a balanced ecosystem.
What Essential Questions will be Considered?
Why do animals form social groups?
Why are groupings and relationships among animals an advantage?
Why is animal or species diversity important?
What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?
Students will know
The purpose of a classification system and recognize that things can be classified in many different ways.
That the animal kingdom can be sub-divided into vertebrates and invertebrates.
Invertebrates don't have an internal skeleton made of bone and that many invertebrates have a fluid-filled, hydrostatic skeleton.
Animals with an internal skeleton made of bone are called vertebrates.
Students will be able to
Identify and explain how the animal kingdom is classified.
Describe how animals depend on each other.
Identify animals that form symbiotic relationships.
Classify vertebrates.
Recognize distinguishing characteristics among vertebrates.
Classify invertebrates.
Recognize distinguishing characteristics among invertebrates.
Compare body structures of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Grade Level: 6th
Subject/Topic Area: Living Science: Animal Classification: Invertebrates vs. Vertebrates
Key Words: Invertebrates, vertebrates, animals, animal kingdom, classification, social groups, dependence
Designed By: Amanda Herbert
Time Frame:
School District:
School:
Links to Content Standards:
Science Standard 4: Living EnvironmentKey Idea 3: Individual organisms and species change over time.
3.1a Each animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth,
survival, and reproduction.
3.1c In order to survive in their environment, plants and animals must be adapted to
that environment.
3.2a Individuals within a species may compete with each other for food, mates, space,
water, and shelter in their environment.
3.2b All individuals have variations, and because of these variations, individuals of a
species may have an advantage in surviving and reproducing.
Key Idea : Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.
5.1a All living things grow, take in nutrients, breathe, reproduce, and eliminate waste.
5.1b An organism’s external physical features can enable it to carry out life functions in
its particular environment.
5.2b Animals respond to change in their environment, (e.g., perspiration, heart rate,
breathing rate, eye blinking, shivering, and salivating).
5.2c Senses can provide essential information (regarding danger, food, mates, etc.) to
animals about their environment.
5.2d Some animals, including humans, move from place to place to meet their needs.
5.2e Particular animal characteristics are influenced by changing environmental conditions
including: fat storage in winter, coat thickness in winter, camouflage, shedding of fur.
5.2f Some animal behaviors are influenced by environmental conditions. These behaviors
may include: nest building, hibernating, hunting, migrating, and communicating.
5.2g The health, growth, and development of organisms are affected by environmental
Brief Summary of Unit (including curricular context and unit goals):
In this unit, students will learn about the characteristics of a wide variety of animals within the animal kingdom. They will be able to understand the classification of vertebrates and invertebrates and have learning opportuties that provide exploration of different types of invertebrates and vertebrates. Students will be able to provide distinguishing characteristics of different animals within the animal kingdom. Students will also explore the advantages for animals to form social groups and to depend on each other for survival.
Identify Desired Results
Established Goals:
What Understandings are Desired?
Students will understand that...
What Essential Questions will be Considered?
What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?
Students will know
Students will be able to