Presenter: Joseph Jackson
January 2015
Animals are all around us! We see them in zoos,
we own them as pets, and sometimes we see
them outside. Every animal has its own
classification based on specific characteristics.
When we classify an animal, we make it easy to
identify.
• The animals we will learn to classify are called
vertebrates. They all have a backbone!
• The five main categories of vertebrates are
mammal, reptile, bird, fish, and amphibian.
You are going to become an expert on classifying
animals!
1. You will be able to name and understand each
of the 5 categories of vertebrates.
2. You will be able to identify animals using
specific characteristics
3. You will be completing several worksheets
about Animal Classification and playing a game.
4. You will be creating your own animal and
classifying it!
Goal #1: Learn about the different animal
classifications!
• Step A: Go to the following website and read the pages
on Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Amphibians, and Fish:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Classifying Mammals Reading
Classifying Reptiles Reading
Classifying Birds Reading
Classifying Amphibians Reading
Classifying Fish Reading
• Step B: Watch this video on Animal Classification:
– Animal Classification Video
Goal #2: Practice Your Classification Skills!
• Step A: Complete and print the worksheet on Mammals:
– Mammal Worksheet
• Step B: Complete and print the worksheet on Classification
– Classification Worksheet
• Step C: Play this game to show that you can identify
animals:
– Animal Classification Game
Goal #3: It is time to use your imagination!
• Step A: Draw a new animal and classify it into one
of the 5 vertebrate categories. Use color and make
it neat!
• Step B: Write a paragraph describing your animal
and specific characteristic on why it is in its
vertebrate category. Make sure to have at least five
sentences and three different characteristics
Mammals Reading
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_mammals.htm
Reptiles Reading
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_reptiles.htm
Classifying Birds Reading
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_birds.htm
Amphibians Reading
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_amphibians.htm
Fish Reading
 http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_fish.htm
Animal Classification Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCm5CcQhU-c
Mammal Worksheet

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oERleAMpNK8/UITN2umvljI/AAAAAAAAAww/0l6Ws2R-fy8/s1600/mammals.PNG
Classification Worksheet

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/29/51/56/295156df9e13e560e74762adefcc9afa.jpg
Animal Classification Game

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/animalclassgame.htm
Poor
1
Developing
2
Average
3
Excellent
4
Mammal
Worksheet
-Not Completed
or Printed.
- 6 + mistakes
-Completed and
Printed.
- 4-5 mistakes.
-Completed and
Printed.
- 1-3 mistakes.
- Completed and
Printed.
- No mistakes.
Classification
Worksheet
- Not Completed
or Printed.
- 5 + mistakes
- Completed and
Printed.
- 3-4 mistakes.
- Completed and
Printed.
- 1-2 mistakes.
- Completed and
Printed.
- No mistakes.
Drawing of
New Animal
- Unoriginal
Drawing.
- No use of color.
- Sloppy drawing.
-Original Drawing.
- No or few use of
color.
- Original Drawing.
- Some colors used.
- Drawn neatly.
- Original Drawing.
- Lots of colors used.
- Drawn neatly.
Writing
Assignment on
Animal
- Paragraph with
1-3 sentences.
- 0-1 descriptive
qualities.
- Many spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
- Descriptive
paragraph with
3-4 sentences
- 1-2 descriptive
qualities.
- Some spelling or
grammar
mistakes.
- Descriptive
paragraph with 4-5
sentences
- 1-2 descriptive
qualities.
- Some spelling or
grammar mistakes.
- Very descriptive
paragraph with 5 or
more sentences
- Contains at least 3
descriptive qualities.
-No spelling or
grammar mistakes.
Score
You are now an animal classification expert!
Share with your family and friends your classification
skills. Next time you visit the zoo, you can classify
animals as either a mammal, reptile, bird, fish, or
amphibian based on everything that your learned.
• Teacher: Joseph Jackson
• This Webquest is designed to teach:
– The 5 categories of vertebrates
– How to classify an animal into a specific category
• Students will explore Online media such as:
– Online website articles
– Internet Flash Game
– Youtube/BrainPop Jr. Video
Process Instructions/Tips:
• If you are using this as a group WebQuest, try
having groups form a circle and each member
assigned a reading piece in Process Goal #1.
• Process Goal #2, Step B requires scissors and
glue/tape
• Process Goal #3, Step A requires crayons/ markers
• For Process Goal #3,Step B, have students type or
write on lined paper their responses