Lesson ____ of ____
Lesson Title: Animal Classification
AZ Teaching Standard: PO2. Classify animals by identifiable group characteristics:
 vertebrates – mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians
 invertebrates – insects, arachnids
Lesson Outcome: TSW classify animals based on physical characteristics (first by vertebrate versus
invertebrate, then into orders within each category) by sorting animals from a list.
Evidence: Students will utilize their knowledge of group characteristics to correctly sort a list of animals into
categories: invertebrate (insect – arachnid) and vertebrate (mammal, reptile, fish, bird, & amphibian), and
justify their classification.
Big Idea: Classification is based on shared characteristics.
Materials: SMARTboard presentation, blank tree maps (or student created), blank Venn diagrams (or
student created), guided notes
Sub-Objective
Teacher Actions
Participants Actions
√for
Understanding
SET:
TSW
Define
“classify”
Opening question: What does it
mean to classify things? What does
it mean if things are in a class?
Oral responses to opening
question.
Students should
demonstrate
understanding
that “class” is
another word for
group and
“classify” is to put
in groups.
Students fill in tree maps.
Oral questioning:
What are some
examples of
vertebrate
animals? What are
some examples of
invertebrates?
Record student responses.
Classify animals
as a vertebrate
or invertebrate.
Classify animals
as mammals or
birds.
Distribute blank tree maps or have
students create them in their
notes.
Model filling in the highest level of
the tree map as teacher explains
classification of vertebrates and
invertebrates.
Distribute mammals and birds
guided notes.
Model filling in guided notes as
teacher explains the characteristics
of mammals and birds.
Show videos.
Distribute blank Venn diagrams and
have students complete with
Students generate examples of
each classification.
Complete guided notes.
Venn diagrams
Complete Venn diagrams in
partners/small groups.
Partner share:
What makes an
animal a
mammal?
What makes an
animal a bird?
characteristics of animals.
Classify animals
as reptiles or
amphibians.
Distribute reptiles and amphibians
guided notes.
Model filling in guided notes as
teacher explains the characteristics
of reptiles and amphibians.
Complete guided notes.
Venn diagrams
Complete Venn diagrams in
partners/small groups.
Partner share:
What makes an
animal a reptile?
What makes an
animal an
amphibian?
Complete guided notes.
Fill in the blank
questions
comparing fish to
other vertebrates.
Complete guided notes
Fill in the blank
questions
comparing
invertebrates.
Show videos.
Compare fish
to other
vertebrates.
Distribute blank Venn diagrams and
have students complete with
characteristics of animals.
Distribute fish guided notes.
Model filling in guided notes as
teacher explains the characteristics
of fish.
Show video.
Describe
characteristics
of insects,
arachnids, and
other
invertebrates.
Distribute fish guided notes.
Model filling in guided notes as
teacher explains the characteristics
of fish.
Show video.