Activity Overview
In this activity students will find examples of different vertebrate groups. Vertebrates all belong to the kingdom Animalia and the phylum Chordata. They are a subphylum of chordates that all have a backbone. In this activity, students will create a chart that identifies examples of different vertebrate groups and lists the characteristics of each class. To extend this for more advanced students, have them identify animals from each class within a particular habitat.
Vertebrate Classes
Fish
Fish are technically split into separate classes: Agnatha (Jawless fish), Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fishes), Placodermi (Armored fishes) and Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes). For the purpose of this activity the classes, have been grouped together. Fish are a group of animals that live in the water and all have gills. They don’t have limbs like digits (e.g. fingers and toes). Most fish are cold-blooded although there are a few exceptions.
Amphibians
This group of animals spends part of their lives on water and land. They are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their body temperatures. Amphibians do not have scales; they have a skin which allows gases to go through it. Most amphibians have primitive lungs so they can also pass oxygen through their skin into their bloodstream. Most amphibians are metamorphic, meaning they will change their shape and form at some point in their lives, such as from a tadpole to an adult frog.
Reptiles
Reptiles, like amphibians, are nearly all cold-blooded. They are covered in scales and breathe with lungs. Almost all reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Most reptiles have a three chambered heart, with the exception of crocodiles. Most reptiles have four legs, but snakes and some lizards are an exception to this.
Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded animals, meaning they can regulate their body temperatures. This allows them to live in many different climates around the world and makes them extremely diverse. All mammals have some hair or fur at some point in their lives, even dolphins and whales! Mammals nurse their young with milk which they produce in mammary glands. All mammals have four chambered hearts. Most mammals are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young rather than eggs. Monotremes, e.g. the platypus and echidnas, are the exception to this rule, as both these animals are oviparous.
Birds
Birds can regulate their internal body temperature like mammals. They are characterized by having a body covered in feathers and a beaked jaw. Most birds have evolved to fly, but there are some that have further evolved to be unable to fly like penguins and ratites. Birds lay hard shelled eggs.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a chart that identifies and describes the different vertebrate classes and provides examples of different vertebrates within each class.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Research the different classes vertebrates can be split up into.
- Write these as the titles of the rows of the T-Chart.
- Find three examples of each group, Include their common name and binomial name. Write this in the description box.
- Find an image of each vertebrate using Photos for Class and put it in the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | All the categories are correctly identified. | Most of the categories are correctly identified. | Some of the categories are correctly identified. |
| Examples | There are three correct examples for each category, with images. | There are two correct examples for each category, with images. | There is one correct example for each category, with images. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
In this activity students will find examples of different vertebrate groups. Vertebrates all belong to the kingdom Animalia and the phylum Chordata. They are a subphylum of chordates that all have a backbone. In this activity, students will create a chart that identifies examples of different vertebrate groups and lists the characteristics of each class. To extend this for more advanced students, have them identify animals from each class within a particular habitat.
Vertebrate Classes
Fish
Fish are technically split into separate classes: Agnatha (Jawless fish), Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fishes), Placodermi (Armored fishes) and Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes). For the purpose of this activity the classes, have been grouped together. Fish are a group of animals that live in the water and all have gills. They don’t have limbs like digits (e.g. fingers and toes). Most fish are cold-blooded although there are a few exceptions.
Amphibians
This group of animals spends part of their lives on water and land. They are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their body temperatures. Amphibians do not have scales; they have a skin which allows gases to go through it. Most amphibians have primitive lungs so they can also pass oxygen through their skin into their bloodstream. Most amphibians are metamorphic, meaning they will change their shape and form at some point in their lives, such as from a tadpole to an adult frog.
Reptiles
Reptiles, like amphibians, are nearly all cold-blooded. They are covered in scales and breathe with lungs. Almost all reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Most reptiles have a three chambered heart, with the exception of crocodiles. Most reptiles have four legs, but snakes and some lizards are an exception to this.
Mammals
Mammals are warm-blooded animals, meaning they can regulate their body temperatures. This allows them to live in many different climates around the world and makes them extremely diverse. All mammals have some hair or fur at some point in their lives, even dolphins and whales! Mammals nurse their young with milk which they produce in mammary glands. All mammals have four chambered hearts. Most mammals are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young rather than eggs. Monotremes, e.g. the platypus and echidnas, are the exception to this rule, as both these animals are oviparous.
Birds
Birds can regulate their internal body temperature like mammals. They are characterized by having a body covered in feathers and a beaked jaw. Most birds have evolved to fly, but there are some that have further evolved to be unable to fly like penguins and ratites. Birds lay hard shelled eggs.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a chart that identifies and describes the different vertebrate classes and provides examples of different vertebrates within each class.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Research the different classes vertebrates can be split up into.
- Write these as the titles of the rows of the T-Chart.
- Find three examples of each group, Include their common name and binomial name. Write this in the description box.
- Find an image of each vertebrate using Photos for Class and put it in the cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | All the categories are correctly identified. | Most of the categories are correctly identified. | Some of the categories are correctly identified. |
| Examples | There are three correct examples for each category, with images. | There are two correct examples for each category, with images. | There is one correct example for each category, with images. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Scientific Classification: Vertebrate Groups
Organize a classroom vertebrate scavenger hunt
Plan a fun scavenger hunt around your classroom or school grounds where students search for images, toys, or cards representing different vertebrate classes. This engages students and reinforces classification skills through movement and observation.
Assign students to create vertebrate group posters
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group one vertebrate class. Provide materials for students to design posters showing characteristics and examples. This encourages teamwork and helps students visually summarize information.
Guide students to research local vertebrate species
Encourage students to investigate animals from their local area that fit each vertebrate group. Have them share findings with the class. This connects learning to real-life examples and builds research skills.
Facilitate a class discussion comparing vertebrate adaptations
Lead a discussion on how different vertebrate groups have unique adaptations for survival. Ask students to give examples and compare features across groups. This deepens understanding of animal diversity and adaptation.
Wrap up with a creative vertebrate classification quiz game
Create a quiz game where students identify the vertebrate class from images or clues. Offer small prizes for participation. This makes review interactive and reinforces key concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Scientific Classification: Vertebrate Groups
What are the main groups of vertebrates and their key characteristics?
The five main groups of vertebrates are fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. Each group has distinct features: fish have gills and live in water, amphibians live on land and water with permeable skin, reptiles have scales and lay eggs, mammals are warm-blooded with hair and feed milk to young, and birds have feathers and lay hard-shelled eggs.
How can I teach students to classify vertebrates easily?
Use a simple chart activity where students list the five vertebrate groups, add their main traits, and give three examples for each. Visual aids and images help students recognize differences quickly.
What is the difference between mammals, reptiles, and amphibians?
Mammals are warm-blooded, have hair or fur, and feed milk to their young. Reptiles are cold-blooded, have scales, and mostly lay eggs. Amphibians are cold-blooded, have moist skin without scales, and live part of their life in water and part on land.
Can you give examples of animals from each vertebrate group?
Sure! Fish: Salmon, Clownfish, Shark. Amphibians: Frog, Salamander, Newt. Reptiles: Snake, Turtle, Crocodile. Mammals: Dog, Whale, Bat. Birds: Eagle, Penguin, Sparrow.
Why do some vertebrates lay eggs while others give live birth?
It depends on the evolutionary adaptations of each group. Most fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds lay eggs, while most mammals give live birth. However, a few mammals, like the platypus, lay eggs too.
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