Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the classification and characteristics of different animals, and appreciate the diversity of the animal kingdom.

Materials and Prep

Materials:

• Pen and paper
• Access to the internet for research

Preparation:

• Review the basic concepts of animal classification
• Prepare examples of different animal species for discussion

Activities

1. Research and Classification: Use the internet to research and classify different animals based on their characteristics, such as vertebrates and invertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

2. Create a Classification Chart: Create a chart or diagram to visually represent the classification of animals, including examples of each group.

3. Animal Characteristics Quiz: Test your knowledge by creating a quiz for yourself or a family member about the characteristics of different animal groups.

Eighth Grade Talking Points

• Animals are classified into different groups based on their characteristics. For example, mammals have fur or hair, and they give birth to live young. Can you think of an example of a mammal?
• There are also animals that lay eggs, like birds and reptiles. Can you name a bird and a reptile?
• Some animals, like fish and amphibians, live in water for most or all of their lives. Can you think of an example of each?
• Finally, there are animals without a backbone, called invertebrates, and animals with a backbone, called vertebrates. Can you give an example of each?