Resources: Scissors, glue, pens and pencils.
Core Handout (2): 2 sheets with pictures of 24 animals for the children to cut out and sort into groups.
Challenge Handout (4): A table with the 5 groups of animals included. There are spaces for the children to draw an animal from each group and write an accompanying description. A word bank is included at the bottom. (Note - the word bank may also be helpful for the children to use during their Mission Assignment as they sort the animals into groups.)
Enquiry Approach - Identifying, grouping & classifying
Using observations, data and findings to name, label and organise items in a variety of ways.
Enquiry Skill - Recording data, results and findings
Using tables, a variety of graphs, labelled diagrams and models to record observations, measurements, results and findings.
Introduce the topic ‘All about Animals’. Use the starter slide which features 5 different animal classifications. Ask the children to identify the animals and discuss what their main features are. When discussing a bird, for example, highlight that they have a beak, feathers and wings. Go on to ask them to think about other birds they know and explain how birds are a group of animals.
Using the presentation, explore the 5 groups of animals - birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Identify the main characteristics of each group.
Career Film: Coming soon!
Expert Film: Mike Linley pays a visit to Thrigby Wildlife Park to spend some time with the crocodiles and alligators!
Ask the children to sort the 24 pictures into the correct animal groups.
Challenge Task: Ask the children to describe what each group of animals have in common using the word bank provided. Using the challenge handout, ask them to draw an animal from each group and write an accompanying description.
Discuss with the children what each group of animals have in common.
There are many different types of animal families in the animal kingdom, each with their own unique characteristics and behaviours. Here are some examples:
Primates: Primates are a family of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, and lemurs. They are characterised by their opposable thumbs, high intelligence, and social behaviour.
Canines: Canines are a family of mammals that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and coyotes. They are known for their sharp teeth and strong sense of smell, which they use to hunt and communicate with each other.
Felines: Felines are a family of mammals that includes cats, lions, tigers, and cheetahs. They are known for their sharp claws, keen eyesight, and stealthy hunting skills.
Equines: Equines are a family of mammals that includes horses, zebras, and donkeys. They are known for their speed and endurance, and are often used for transportation and agriculture.
Bovines: Bovines are a family of mammals that includes cows, buffalo, and bison. They are known for their large size, and are often raised for their meat, milk, and hides.
Rodents: Rodents are a family of mammals that includes mice, rats, squirrels, and beavers. They are known for their sharp teeth and ability to gnaw through almost anything and are often considered pests.
Birds: Birds are a family of animals that includes eagles, owls, parrots, and penguins. They are characterised by their feathers, beaks, and wings, and are often able to fly.
Reptiles: Reptiles are a family of animals that includes snakes, lizards, and turtles. They are known for their scaly skin and ability to regulate their body temperature and are often found in warm climates.
Amphibians: Amphibians are a family of animals that includes frogs, toads, and salamanders. They are known for their ability to live both on land and in water, and often have slimy skin.
Fish: Fish are a family of animals that includes sharks, tuna, and salmon. They are characterised by their gills, fins, and scales, and are found in a wide range of aquatic environments.