Basic Animals
Background
Overview
A basic animal program can be done in
All throughout our lifetimes
which
students will examine the
we are asked to identify the
differences between different types of
similarities and differences
animals. What makes a bird a bird?
around us. Similarities and
What makes a reptile a reptile? And
differences
are
stressed
throughout this program.
what makes a mammal a mammal?
Live animal representatives
are used, as well as
skeletons, posters, and mounts.
Students will be able to make
comparisons among the different animals based on what they see, as
well as what they feel. Most mammals, they will learn, have fur, are
warm-blooded, and some mammals are actually very soft. Birds are also
soft and warm-blooded, but instead of fur, they have feathers. Reptiles,
on the other hand, are covered with scaly skin and are cold-blooded.
One or two representatives of each class of animals will be introduced
to students. Animals that may be viewed include: chinchillas, rabbits, '
guinea pigs, ferrets, doves, chickens, snakes, turtles, and lizards. r If
desired, teachers may request that amphibians and insects also be
discussed) All of our animals are used to being handled and may be
touched by students if desired.
Applies to:
CT Standards K.1a, K.2a, l.2a, 1.3a,3.2a, 5.2a
Reading Suggestions
Grade Levels Pre-K- 2
I can be a Zoo Keeper by: James P.Rowan
Grade Level
Pre-K- 5
Duration
30 minutes - 1 hour
Skills
Observing, memorizing,
classifying and categorizing,
identifying attributes and
components
Objective
To be able to state inherent
similaritiesand differences
between mammals, birds, and
reptiles
Vocabulary
Pre-visit
Feathers,fur, scales,
mammal, bird, reptile
Post-visit
Cold-blooded, warmblooded, vertebrate,
invertebrate,
exoskeleton
Not All Animals are Blue by: Beatrice Boutignon
Location
What in the Wild by: David M. Schwartz
At Hungerford Parkor at
school
Grade Levels 2 - 5
The Animal Kingdom by: Kate Whyman
The Big Book of Animals by: Sheila Hanly
Tree of Life: The Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth by: Rochelle
Strauss