Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Vertebrates and invertebrates
Animals and habitats
CCSS NGSS.4-LS1-1England: KS2 Y4 Living things and their habitatsEngland: KS2 Y6 Living things and their habitats
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Vertebrates and invertebrates.
- 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: Using classification keys; Classify invertebrates: insects, arachnids, crustaceans and molluscs
Materials: Animal picture cards, Habitat maps, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 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 lizard belong to? (reptile / amphibian / fish / bird) → reptilePrompt: What covers its body: fur, feathers, scales or moist skin?
- Which of these animals is a mammal? (eagle / tuna / axolotl / dolphin) → dolphinPrompt: Think about what covers each animal's body.
- A bat flies at night. What group does it belong to? (insects / birds / reptiles / mammals) → mammalsPrompt: Bats have fur and feed their babies milk.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a picture of an unusual animal and ask where it might live and how it survives there.
- Share the objective: Vertebrates and invertebrates. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which invertebrate group does a tarantula belong to?
- Step 1: Arachnids, such as spiders, scorpions and ticks, have 8 legs.
- Step 2: So the answer is: arachnid
- Answer: arachnid
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which invertebrate group does a slug belong to? (insect / arachnid / mollusc (mollusk) / crustacean) → mollusc (mollusk)Prompt: Count the legs if it has any.
- Is a spider a vertebrate or an invertebrate? (vertebrate / invertebrate) → invertebratePrompt: Does it have a backbone (spine)?
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which invertebrate group does a butterfly belong to? (insect / arachnid / mollusc (mollusk) / crustacean) → insectPrompt: Count the legs if it has any.
- Is a snail a vertebrate or an invertebrate? (vertebrate / invertebrate) → invertebratePrompt: Does it have a backbone (spine)?
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
- Move on to: Using classification keys; Classify invertebrates: insects, arachnids, crustaceans and molluscs.
- 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-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder