Unit Directory

• Basic Overview of Unit
• Lesson 1: Fish Investigations
• Lesson 2: Amphibian Investigations
• Lesson 3: Reptile Investigations
• Lesson 4: Bird Investigations See also Exciting Bird Experiments
• Lesson 5: Mammal Investigations

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During the following weeks, you will work in your group to design investigations to discover what the six classes of vertebrate animals need in order to grow, survive, and reproduce.

This project involves two Steps.

• You will design ways to learn about each class of vertebrate by doing research and direct observations.

Research involves using different sources such as reference books, the Internet (MRI lab, video conferencing) and videos to discover information about each animal. You should use scientific methods as listed below to help you in devising your discoveries.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF INVESTIGATION

Purpose

• Think of a purpose for your investigation. (What big question overall do you want to investigate about this vertebrate class?)

Theory

• State your group's theory on this topic. What do you already know about this class of vertebrate? What else does your group need to know and do to make discoveries?

Procedure

• State what procedure your group will follow to answer the big question in your investigation.

Results

• Remember, you will need charted results which show evidence of answers to your big question. You may use the discoveries from direct observations and from research. See ideas for doing direct observation from the "Observing Vertebrate Booklets" located in the classroom.

Conclusion

• After doing all research and direct observations, discuss in detail your final conclusion of this vertebrate animal class. What were your main discoveries? This conclusion should focus on your big question. You also may want to include distinct differences and similarities between classes.

You should also use scientific terms to help you devise a plan to learn about each vertebrate class.

Scientific Terms

Examples of Species:

• list examples of animals which belong in a certain class of vertebrates, (such as humans are mammals)

Habitat:

• area where the animal lives as well as the things and conditions that it takes for the animal to survive, such as food, shelter, temperature, etc.

Home Range:

• area used by an animal within the ecosystem. This would also include the territorial space needed for defenses (space required for protecting themselves from other animals).

Stages of Life Span:

• describe the major changes if any, the animal go thorough during a life span. What is the animal called during these basic stages: beginning stage, growing stage, reproducing stage, aging, dying. Also discuss how this animal is born, (alive or from an egg, etc).

Special Characteristics:

• describe unique features of the animal that makes it different or distinct from other animals, (such as birds have feathers and often fly).

Direct Observations:

• keep a separate chart of any animal behavior that you observe directly. This would include such things as mapping animal movement patterns and defense patterns and hatching live chicks.

Special Uses:

• Describe what uses this animal provides man.

• You should make a chart to record your results for each of the five vertebrate classes. See the sample chart below:

Direct Observations involve watching the animals in action - live, and recording observations such as mapping animal movement using time sampling techniques, or observing an animal defending territory and other behaviors. You should design direct observation activities, charts, or maps to help you discover and record information about each class of vertebrate.

• Make up your own Direct Observation Charts - (see the direct observation booklets in the classroom on each vertebrate for ideas on how to design experiments and how to set up time samplings.
• See separate chart for hatching chicks

Steps:

Make a vertebrate book full of pictures and all of the information you have gathered from direct observation and research.

• Design this vertebrate book anyway you choose.
• Discuss in detail your final conclusion of each vertebrate animal class. What were your main discoveries. This conclusion should focus on your big question. You also may want to include distinct differences and similarities between classes.

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