Understanding the Animal Kingdom

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 4

3rd Grade

Lesson 5 of 23

Objective


Explain what characteristics all fish and amphibians share and how they vary.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: What is the Animal Kingdom? (The Science of Living Things) by Bobbie Kalman  pp. 16 – 21

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What characteristics do all fish share? What characteristics are varied?

What characteristics do all amphibians share? What characteristics are varied?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • What are the key characteristics of vertebrates? Why are they important for survival? 

  • Some animals are cold-blooded and others are warm-blooded. Describe the difference between the two. What type of habitat would be best for a cold-blooded animal? Why? What type of habitat would be best for a warm-blooded animal? Why? 

  • Fish have special characteristics that make it possible to survive in water. Agree or disagree? Defend your answer.

  • What are the key characteristics of amphibians? Why are they important for survival? 

  • Amphibians’ skin helps them survive. Agree or disagree? Defend your answer.

  • How does a newt change as it grows?

Vocabulary


cold-blooded

adj.

a type of animal whose body temperature changes with the temperature of their environment

warm-blooded

adj.

an animal that maintains a constant body temperature; often warmer than the temperature of their surroundings

support

v.

to give help or assistance

amphibian

n.

an animal that can live in water and on land

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.3.3 — Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
  • RI.3.7 — Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
  • RI.3.8 — Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

Supporting Standards

L.3.4
L.3.6
RF.3.3
RF.3.4
RI.3.1
RI.3.4
RI.3.5
RI.3.10
SL.3.1
W.3.10

Next

Explain what characteristics all reptiles, birds, and mammals share and how they vary.

Lesson 6
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Lesson Map

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