Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes
Animal coverings: fur, feathers, scales, shells and skin
Animals and habitats
CCSS NGSS.1-LS1-1England: KS1 Y1 Animals, including humans
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Animal coverings: fur, feathers, scales, shells and skin.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Animal groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Animal picture cards, Habitat maps, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Animal groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which animal group does a frog belong to? (fish / bird / mammal / amphibian) → amphibianPrompt: What covers its body: fur, feathers, scales or moist skin?
- Which of these animals is a bird? (parrot / lizard / mouse / snake) → parrotPrompt: Think about what covers each animal's body.
- A bat flies at night. What group does it belong to? (birds / insects / reptiles / mammals) → mammalsPrompt: Bats have fur and feed their babies milk.
Hook · 3 min
- Show a picture of an unusual animal and ask where it might live and how it survives there.
- Share the objective: Animal coverings: fur, feathers, scales, shells and skin. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: What covers the body of this animal: frog?
- Step 1: Amphibians have smooth skin that must stay damp.
- Step 2: So the answer is: smooth, damp skin
- Answer: smooth, damp skin
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- What covers the body of this animal: mussel? (feathers / a hard shell / fur or hair / smooth, damp skin) → a hard shellPrompt: Think about what you would feel if you could (safely) stroke it.
- Which animal is covered in smooth, damp skin? (cat / snail / penguin / newt) → newtPrompt: Picture each animal's outside.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Why do snails pull into their shells on hot, dry days? (to make the shell grow / to sleep for a year / to stop their soft bodies drying out / to hide from the rain) → to stop their soft bodies drying outPrompt: What happens to a slug on a hot pavement?
- What covers the body of this animal: mussel? (scales / fur or hair / a hard shell / feathers) → a hard shellPrompt: Think about what you would feel if you could (safely) stroke it.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Animal groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians.
- Use concrete materials: animal picture cards.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder