This document outlines a unit plan for teaching 3rd grade students about vertebrates. The plan includes analyzing the diverse group of 18 students, setting objectives focused on observing and comparing living things, and a day-by-day breakdown of lessons. Lessons will use videos, websites and hands-on activities to teach students about the characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Formative assessment includes a worksheet and group presentations. The plan incorporates technology like smartboards and laptops to enhance the visual and tactile learning styles of most students.
2. Analyze the Learner
General: 3rd grade, 18 students (7 boys, 11 girls), 10 Caucasian, 4 African-Americans, 2
Latino, and 2 Asian.
Learning Competencies: Students should have a basic understanding of what an animal is
and types of animals.
Learning Styles: Many of the students are visual learners, while others are tactile-
kinesthetic learners. Very few of the students are auditory learners.
3. Objectives
SC.O.3.2.02 observe, measure and record changes in living things (e.g., growth and development, or
variations within species) https://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2520.3.pdf
SC.O.3.2.03 compare physical characteristics and behaviors of living organisms and explain how they are
adapted to a specific environment (e.g., beaks and feet in birds, seed dispersal, camouflage, or different
types of flowers). https://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2520.3.pdf
ELA.3.W.C11.1 conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic. (CCSS W.3.7)
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/Teach21/public/ng_cso/NG_popup.cfm
ELA.3.R.C2.5 use informational text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to
locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently. (CCSS RI.3.5)
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/Teach21/public/ng_cso/NG_popup.cfm
ELA.3.R.C1.5 determine the main idea of an informational text; recount the key details and explain how
they support the main idea. (CCSS RI.3.2) http://wveis.k12.wv.us/Teach21/public/ng_cso/NG_popup.cfm
4. Day by Day
1. Show the class a video found at “Vertebrate Animals”. After showing this video, discuss the contents of the video. Then ask the
students what their favorite animal is and determine if it is a vertebrate.
2. Show the students a YouTube video I found called “What are Mammals?” Then use the lesson plan that is called “What’s a Mammal?” I
will also assign the worksheet at the bottom of the lesson plan for homework, and it will be due the next day in class.
3. I will explain to the class what the classification of bird means. I will use a lesson plan that I found online at and use the lesson plan
titled “What makes a bird a bird?”
4. I will go over what a reptile and amphibians are. I will go to the San Diego Zoo website for Kids and explain the characteristics of a
reptile and amphibians. I will also show the students different pictures and characteristics of different reptiles and amphibians.
5. I will go over the last classification, which is classified as fish. I will show the students an interactive video on the smartboard that I
found online. After showing them this video, I will then pull up a web quest found at http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=65906 and
walk through the instructions for the project. Once students are in groups and understand the project, if there is time remaining they
can get together and discuss what topic they are going to choose to present.
6. I will let the students get together in their groups and work on their presentation.
7. I will let the students get together in their groups and work on their presentation. If they finish early they can go online at
http://www.kidscom.com/games/animal/animal.html and play the games about different vertebrates.
8. I will have the students present their presentations.
5. Use of Technology
Computer and smartboard to use for presentations and viewing videos.
Laptops for the students to look up information.
Hand Lenses
Paper, Markers, Index Cards
6. Works Cited
Http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eJxPzmvTb12v7LlZUJcLQ. "Vertebrate Animals | Educational
Video for Kids." YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKoGO7hNXg>.
Ng174. "'What Are Mammals?" Easy and Cute Animation!" YouTube. YouTube, 23 Dec. 2012.
Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU4Bo_rF_R0>.
"Lesson Plan Library." What's A Mammal? N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/whats-a-
mammal.cfm>.
Garelick, May, and Leonard Weisgard. What Makes a Bird a Bird? New York: Follett Pub., 1969.
Web.
"Reptiles." Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
<http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/reptiles>.
"Amphibians." Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
<http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/amphibians>.
"WatchKnowLearn - Free K-12 Educational Videos." Video: Fish Facts and Characteristics. N.p., n.d.
Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=18835&CategoryID=2190>.
