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© 2014 Erica L Colón
Table of Contents:
Animal Diversity - Vertebrates
Description
Page #
Introduction
3
Section 1: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish & Amphibians
4
Gyotaku
5
Teacher Guide – Examples and Answer Key
6
Quiz: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish & Amphibians
7
Section 2: Reptiles and Birds
8
The Amniotic Egg – Printable
9
The Amniotic Egg – Egg Foldable
10
Quiz: Reptiles and Birds
11
Section 3: Mammals
12
Mammal Characteristics – Hair Printable
13
Mammal Characteristics – cut-outs and template
14
Quiz: Mammals
15
Answer Key
16
Copyright and Contact Information
17
Appendix: Teacher Notes – LARGE print
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18-20
© 2014 Erica L Colón
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Introduction
If you are new to the idea of using a Science Interactive Notebook in your
classroom, stop by my Nitty Gritty Science shop and download my Intro to
Science Interactive Notebooks tutorial for FREE!
In there you will find tips on
how to begin with your students, what materials to have on hand and, most
importantly, how it will enhance your students learning through reflection and
creativity.
Focused Lessons with Differentiated Instruction
The lessons shared on the following pages cover National Science Standards
and meet students’ needs.
I have given you the notes that I would give my
students (Right Side – Input Side of Notebook) so you can understand what I’m
having the students focus on when working on their creative assignments (Left
Side – Output Side of Notebook).
Each lesson focuses on a Question of the
Day (QOD) represented in red in the top margin of each “Input” page with
student giving answer in red on “Output” page.
Left Side – Output
Instructions for each Output Side are included.
This includes cut-outs, foldables
or master copies where applicable. You may find that students work slow at
first, but once groups are organized and students know what is expected from
them, not only will you see more energy focused on the final product, but also
you will be shocked at the level of creativity certain students have in certain
areas.
Mini-Assessments
Mini quizzes will be given for each section so you may monitor student’s level of
understanding.
For reproduction purposes, there are two quizzes to a page so
you can cut in half and save on some paper 
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
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Section 1: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish & Amphibians
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Instructions:
This is a great activity to do just before fish dissections.
I would
pick up a variety of fish at the local market and bring them in so
students could make fish prints, or in the art world, gyotaku. The
fish can be used over and over for printing, then just rinse off –
voila – you’re ready for dissections and now you have some
beautiful prints for your classroom.
Gyotaku printable, examples and answer key are included along with
a mini-quiz.
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
Gyotaku
Introduction: Before there were cell phones where we could snap a picture instantaneously,
Japanese fisherman were recording their catches using a traditional method of nature printing
called gyotaku (Japanese from gyo “fish” and taku “rubbing”).
Fish were painted with a non-
toxic black ink, then covered with rice paper,
which was carefully smoothed down over the
fish to pick up the details of their catch.
Once they were done, the fish could be
washed off and prepared for a meal.
Gyotaku has now become an art form and
many prints use multiple colors instead of just
black ink.
Today you will create your own fish
print and use it to showcase the body of a
fish and identify its different body parts.
Materials:

Fish (clean and dry)

cardboard/foam board (optional)

water-based paints

rice paper or white construction paper

paintbrushes

pen or colored pencils for labeling

newspaper
Procedure:
1. Choose your fish and place it on its side on top of newspaper.
Make sure it’s clean and dry.
2. Position fish how you would like it to look on print – fan out fins and tail, open mouth, etc. You
may need to place fish and newspaper over cardboard and use pins to hold fins in place. Be
careful not to tear the fins.
3. Decides on your colors and paint the fish with the paintbrushes making sure to spread the
paint thin and evenly over the entire surface of the fish.
4. Position white paper over fish and press firmly, making sure to cover entire fish’s surface.
Be careful to NOT let the paper move.
5. Carefully remove paper and set aside to dry.
If your fish print didn’t work out and you
have more time, simply rinse the fish off, dry it and try again.
6. When your Gyotaku is dry, label the parts of the fish and paste completed print into your
Science Interactive Notebook
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
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Teacher Guide – Example of Gyotaku and labeled fish
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish and Amphibians
Circle the term that completes each sentence.
1. A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone that is part of the (endoskeleton, exoskeleton).
2. An animal whose body can regulate its own temperature is an (ectotherm, endotherm).
3. Jawless, cartilaginous and bony are all used to describe (fish, amphibians).
4. Amphibians and frogs are (ectothermic, endothermic) vertebrates.
5. Most (fish, amphibians) undergo metamorphosis.
6. Sharks and rays are examples of (bony, cartilaginous) fish.
7. Fish have an organ that is a gas-filled sac that helps them stay stable while swimming called a
(swim bladder, oxygen float).
8. Amphibians use lungs to breathe on land, but can also exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through
their (scales, skin).
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish and Amphibians
Circle the term that completes each sentence.
1. A vertebrate is an animal with a backbone that is part of the (endoskeleton, exoskeleton).
2. An animal whose body can regulate its own temperature is an (ectotherm, endotherm).
3. Jawless, cartilaginous and bony are all used to describe (fish, amphibians).
4. Amphibians and frogs are (ectothermic, endothermic) vertebrates.
5. Most (fish, amphibians) undergo metamorphosis.
6. Sharks and rays are examples of (bony, cartilaginous) fish.
7. Fish have an organ that is a gas-filled sac that helps them stay stable while swimming called a
(swim bladder, oxygen float).
8. Amphibians use lungs to breathe on land, but can also exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through
their (scales, skin).
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
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Section 2: Reptiles and Birds
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Instructions:
Students will learn all the parts of an
amniotic egg with this fun foldable
and color coding table.
Who needs
Easter eggs when you have an
Amniotic Egg Foldable?
Attached are the Amniotic Egg
Foldable printable along with color
coding chart and a mini-quiz.
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
The Amniotic Egg
Introduction: Both reptiles and birds have internal fertilization and lay their eggs on land.
While still inside the mother’s body, fertilized eggs are covered with membranes and a
leathery shell. Bird and reptile eggs are similar except for the fact that bird egg
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shells are harder. An egg with a shell and internal membranes that help protect the
developing embryo and keep it from drying out is called an amniotic egg.
Directions: Cut out the Amniotic Egg foldable and fold so that the parts are “inside”
the egg. Next, research the parts of an amniotic egg and color each part a separate
color. Match the color used on the egg part to the definition on the Parts of an
Amniotic Egg table. Paste both the table and foldable into your Science Interactive
Notebook.
Color
Parts of the Amniotic Egg
Code
Amnion is a fluid filled sac that surrounds and cushions the
developing embryo.
It produces a protected, watery environment.
Albumen (egg white) serves as protection against mechanical
damage and provides a reservoir of water and protein for the
developing embryo.
Chorion surrounds all the embryonic structures and regulates
transport of oxygen from the surface of the egg to the
embryo and protective outer membrane.
Shell provides protection while allowing for gas and water
exchange.
Yolk is rich in lipids (fats) which serves as an energy supply for
the developing embryo.
Allantois is used to store wastes produced by the embryo.
It
later fuses with the chorion and serves as a respiratory organ.
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Amniotic Egg Foldable
Fold 2
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Fold 3
Fold 1
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Name _________________________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Reptiles and Birds
Label the amniotic egg.
A. _______________________________________
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D
B. _______________________________________
E
C. _______________________________________
D. _______________________________________
F
A
E. _______________________________________
G
B
F. _______________________________________
G. _______________________________________
C
1. List two adaptations that allow reptiles to live on land and two adaptations that allow birds to fly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name _________________________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Reptiles and Birds
Label the amniotic egg.
A. _______________________________________
D
B. _______________________________________
E
C. _______________________________________
D. _______________________________________
E. _______________________________________
F. _______________________________________
G. _______________________________________
F
A
G
B
C
1. List two adaptations that allow reptiles to live on land and two adaptations that allow birds to fly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Section 3: Mammals
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Instructions:
One of the most well-known characteristic
of mammals is having hair, but what is not
well known is all the different functions it
serves.
Students will categorize different
functions of hair (fur) then will need to
come up with six of their own examples to
share with the group.
‘Mammal Characteristics – Hair’ printable,
templates and the mini-quiz are all included
for this concept.
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© 2014 Erica L Colón
Mammal Characteristics – Hair
Introduction: All mammals have hair at some point during their development with most mammals having hair
their entire life.
Mammalian hair is made of a protein called keratin and serves at least four functions
for an animal. First, hair acts as insulation and slows the exchange of heat with the environment.
Second, hair can serve as a sensory receptor. Specialized hairs, such as whiskers, or “vibrissae” let an
animal know when it is in contact with an object. Third, hair provides some protection, either by adding a
layer to protect from the sun or being coarse and sharp to deter predators. Finally, the fourth function
is used by animals through the color and pattern of their hair. For instance, it may serve as camouflage
by either the predator or the prey during an attack; or used to communicate social information, for
example, as a warning mechanism or to prove worth during mating season.
Directions: Read the following examples of mammalian hair function and decide which category it belongs:
Camouflage, Social Communication or Protection.
Cut out the description and place in the corresponding
pocket you will make and paste (with labels) in to your Science Interactive Notebook. Research at least six
other examples of hair function - describe and illustrate on the cards provided.
Porcupines have hair in the form
The white-tailed deer shows
underside of
of spines to deter predators.
tail in the
Animals use
long
eyelashes,
presence of
which are
danger.
sensory hairs,
to sense when dirt or debris is
too close to the eye.
The eye
will reflexively blink in response
to this touch.
Zebras run in a herd to
Cat’s hair
escape a
will stand
predator.
erect on
their backs
to make
them
“appear”
The snowshoe hare’s
coat will
turn white
in winter
when it
snows.
larger when
threatened.
Many male
monkeys have
different and
The lion’s mane may show his
nutritional status proving that
Tigers
he’s in good fighting health if he
have
brighter
were to be challenged
striped
coloring than
by another
fur to
the female to
male.
help attract a
help them
hunt.
mate.
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Use this pocket template
to make three pockets and
label with the category
headings below.
CAMOUFLAGE
PROTECTION
SOCIAL INTERACTION
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Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Mammals
Check the correct column for each mammal characteristic. You may check more than one box.
Characteristic
Monotremes
Marsupials
Placental
1. Exhibit parental care.
2. Lay eggs.
3. Have a permanent pouch on abdomen.
4. Connected to placenta by an umbilical cord.
5. Lack nipples.
6. Produce milk in mammary glands.
7. Give birth to partially developed offspring.
8. At some time in lives have hair.
9. Give birth to live young.
10. Have specialized teeth for different feeding needs.
Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________
Quiz: Mammals
Check the correct column for each mammal characteristic. You may check more than one box.
Characteristic
Monotremes
Marsupials
1. Exhibit parental care.
2. Lay eggs.
3. Have a permanent pouch on abdomen.
4. Connected to placenta by an umbilical cord.
5. Lack nipples.
6. Produce milk in mammary glands.
7. Give birth to partially developed offspring.
8. At some time in lives have hair.
9. Give birth to live young.
10. Have specialized teeth for different feeding needs.
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Placental
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Answer Key
Quiz: Intro to Vertebrates: Fish and Amphibians
1. endoskeleton
5. amphibians
2. endothermic
6. cartilaginous
3. fish
7. swim bladder
4. ectothermic
8. skin
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Quiz: Reptiles and Birds
A. shell
F. albumen
B. yolk
G. chorion
C. allantois
D. embryo
E. amnion
1. Answers will vary but may include:
Reptiles: skin with scales, amniotic egg, shells for protection, kidneys to conserve water
Birds: hollow bones, wing shape, feathers, lungs with air sacs
Quiz: Mammals
Characteristic
Monotremes
Marsupials
Placental
1. Exhibit parental care.
x
x
x
2. Lay eggs.
x
3. Have a permanent pouch on abdomen.
x
4. Connected to placenta by an umbilical cord.
x
5. Lack nipples.
x
6. Produce milk in mammary glands.
x
7. Give birth to partially developed offspring.
8. At some time in lives have hair.
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x
x
x
9. Give birth to live young.
10. Have specialized teeth for different feeding needs.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
© 2014 Erica L Colón
Thank you for your recent download of one of the
chapters from the Life Science Interactive Notebook
Series!!
I know this resource will allow you and your students to
have a successful year using Science Interactive
Notebooks and will be a wonderful portfolio to show all
they have learned throughout the school year. I can guarantee students will
show pride in their work and be willing to share their notebook entries with you,
their classmates and their families.
Please check out my store for the Physical Science Interactive Notebook
Series, as well as my Science Inquiry Units.
Also, check out my new blog
www.NittyGrittyScience.blogspot.com to see examples and how we’re getting
down to the Nitty Gritty in Science Education!!
Enjoy,
Dr. Erica L Colón
Copyright Information
© 2013 Erica L Colón: Nitty Gritty Science. All rights reserved by the author.
My terms for use for all products available through TeachersPayTeachers and
TeachersNotebook are as follows:
Purchase of this unit entitles the purchaser the right to reproduce the pages in limited
quantities for classroom use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or
commercial purposes is strictly forbidden without written permission from the author: Erica
Colón: [email protected] or by purchasing multiple licenses.
Copying any part of this product and placing it on the internet in any form (even a
personal/classroom website) is strictly forbidden and is a violation of the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act (DMCA). You may post pictures from using this product in your classroom as
long as you provide a link back to my store.
Thanks to The Candy Class for time saving templates!
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Appendix: Teacher Notes
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