1. Presenter: Joseph Jackson January 2015
Animal Classification WebQuest
Presenter: Joseph Jackson
January 2015

2. Introduction
Animals are all around us! We see them in zoos, we own them as pets, and sometimes we see them outside. Every animal has its own classification based on specific characteristics. When we classify an animal, we make it easy to identify.

3. How Do We Classify All of these Animals?
The animals we will learn to classify are called vertebrates. They all have a backbone!
The five main categories of vertebrates are mammal, reptile, bird, fish, and amphibian.

4. Task You are going to become an expert on classifying animals!
You will be able to name and understand each of the 5 categories of vertebrates.
You will be able to identify animals using specific characteristics
You will be completing several worksheets about Animal Classification and playing a game.
You will be creating your own animal and classifying it!

5. Process Goal #1: Learn about the different animal classifications!
Step A: Go to the following website and read the pages on Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Amphibians, and Fish:
Classifying Mammals Reading
Classifying Reptiles Reading
Classifying Birds Reading
Classifying Amphibians Reading
Classifying Fish Reading
Step B: Watch this video on Animal Classification:
Animal Classification Video

6. Process Goal #2: Practice Your Classification Skills!
Step A: Complete and print the worksheet on Mammals:
Mammal Worksheet
Step B: Complete and print the worksheet on Classification
Classification Worksheet
Step C: Play this game to show that you can identify animals:
Animal Classification Game

7. Process Goal #3: It is time to use your imagination!
Step A: Draw a new animal and classify it into one of the 5 vertebrate categories. Use color and make it neat!
Step B: Write a paragraph describing your animal and specific characteristic on why it is in its vertebrate category. Make sure to have at least five sentences and three different characteristics

8. Resources Mammals Reading Reptiles Reading Classifying Birds Reading
Reptiles Reading
Classifying Birds Reading
Amphibians Reading
Fish Reading
Animal Classification Video
Mammal Worksheet
Classification Worksheet
Animal Classification Game

9. Classification Worksheet Writing Assignment on Animal
Evaluation
Poor 1
Developing 2
Average 3
Excellent 4
Score
Mammal Worksheet
-Not Completed or Printed.
- 6 + mistakes
-Completed and Printed.
- 4-5 mistakes.
- 1-3 mistakes.
- Completed and Printed.
- No mistakes.
Classification Worksheet
- Not Completed or Printed.
- 5 + mistakes
- 3-4 mistakes.
- 1-2 mistakes.
Drawing of New Animal
- Unoriginal Drawing.
- No use of color.
- Sloppy drawing.
-Original Drawing. - No or few use of color.
- Original Drawing.
- Some colors used.
- Drawn neatly.
- Lots of colors used.
Writing Assignment on Animal
- Paragraph with 1-3 sentences.
- 0-1 descriptive qualities.
- Many spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Descriptive paragraph with sentences
- 1-2 descriptive qualities.
- Some spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Descriptive paragraph with 4-5 sentences
descriptive qualities.
- Very descriptive paragraph with 5 or more sentences
- Contains at least 3 descriptive qualities.
-No spelling or grammar mistakes.

10. Conclusion
You are now an animal classification expert! Share with your family and friends your classification skills. Next time you visit the zoo, you can classify animals as either a mammal, reptile, bird, fish, or amphibian based on everything that your learned.

11. Teacher’s Page Teacher: Joseph Jackson
This Webquest is designed to teach:
The 5 categories of vertebrates
How to classify an animal into a specific category
Students will explore Online media such as:
Online website articles
Internet Flash Game
Youtube/BrainPop Jr. Video

12. Teacher’s Page Process Instructions/Tips:
If you are using this as a group WebQuest, try having groups form a circle and each member assigned a reading piece in Process Goal #1.
Process Goal #2, Step B requires scissors and glue/tape
Process Goal #3, Step A requires crayons/ markers
For Process Goal #3,Step B, have students type or write on lined paper their responses