Classifying Animals:

Animals with a backbone are called vertebrates. Scientists put all vertebrates together into one group in the animal kingdom. Vertebrates are the animals we know best. They are everywhere. But although vertebrates are all around us, they make up only a tiny portion of all species.

Living Things ReptilesFishAmphibiansMammalsBirds WormsSpongesArthropodsMollusks VertebrateInvertebrate Monera Fungi Animal Protist Plant Coniferous Deciduous CrustaceansArachnidsChilopodsInsects

The main thing they have in common is a backbone, which is made up of a series of bones called vertebrate. The vertebrate house and protect the spinal cord, which works with the brain to control everything in the body. Vertebrates also have an internal skeleton that allows for movement, support and protection.

ORCA WHALE

Vertebrates are divided into five major subgroups: Fish Amphibians Reptiles Birds mammals

Vertebrate Species fish birds reptiles amphibians mammals

Characteristics of Vertebrates Fish, amphibians, and reptiles are cold-blooded animals. This means that the temperature of their body is the same as that of their surrounding environment. Col- blooded animals do not use a lot of energy to keep the inside of their bodies warm. Birds and mammals are warm-blooded animals. This means that their body temperature is maintained at a particular temperature, no matter where they are. Warm- blooded animals use a lot of energy to keep their bodies warm. Warm-blooded animals can live in very cold climates, where cold-blooded animals would not survive. All humans are part of the mammal subgroup of vertebrates. Humans are warm-blooded.

Characteristics of Amphibians: Soft, moist skin Four legs (often webbed feet) Cold blooded Most lay eggs newts salamanders frogs

Characteristics of Reptiles: Dry skin covered with hard overlapping scales Most have four legs Cold-blooded Most lay eggs lizards snakesturtles

Characteristics of Birds: Feathers A beak or a bill for a mouth and no teeth Warm blooded Breathe through lungs

Characteristics of Mammals: All have hair at some stage in development Warm blooded Breathe through lungs Mothers nurse their young

Characteristics of Fish Most have bodies covered with scales Cold-blooded Breathe through gills Most lay eggs

Research Project Think about a vertebrate you would be interested in learning more about. Gather all important information and begin writing a brief report explaining your findings. Your report should be 8 paragraphs in length. Attach a labeled diagram to your report. Due in 2 weeks. Good Luck!

Paragraph 1Introduction: Introduce your chosen vertebrate. Paragraph 2Describe body shape. Paragraph 3Is it warm or cold blooded? Explain. Paragraph 4Where it lives. Paragraph 5Describe characteristics that make it unique. Paragraph 6What it eats. Paragraph 7Any adaptations that help the animal survive, catch prey and avoid predators. Paragraph 8Conclusion: Summarize the last 6 paragraphs into 1 paragraph.

CATEGORY4321 Required Elements The report includes all required elements as well as additional information. All required elements are included in the report. All but 1 of the required elements is included in the report. Several required elements were missing. Content - Accuracy At least 8 accurate paragraphs are detailed in the report. 5-7 accurate paragraphs are detailed in the report. 3-4 accurate paragraphs are detailed in the report. Less than 3 accurate paragraphs are detailed in the report. Labeled Picture The picture is exceptionally detailed in terms of design, neatness and information. The picture is detailed in terms of design, neatness and information. The picture is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy, and brief in information. The picture is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not clear. Mechanics Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the report. There is 1 error in capitalization or punctuation. There are 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation. There are more than 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation. Grammar There are no grammatical or spelling mistakes in the report. There are 2 grammatical or spelling mistakes in the report. There are 3 grammatical or spelling mistakes in the report. There are more than 3 grammatical or spelling mistakes in the report. Vertebrates Report Rubric

Writing a Report There are 3 major steps to follow when you write a classroom report. 1.Select a good topic. 2.Collect information about that topic. 3.Connect that information into a well- written report.

Collecting Information Find good sources of information. As you know, it’s impossible to write a good report without a good topic and good information. Here are some resources you can use. Use your school and public libraries. Use the internet. Be careful, some sources on the internet are not very reliable. Make sure you are on reliable sites. Ask your teacher, a parent, or your friends what they know

Check your information It is important that you take time to look over all your information before you start writing your report. By using different kinds of information, you will keep your readers interested. Try to include the some of the following: Quotes form experts Colourful or powerful words that fit your topic Interesting diagrams and drawings Humorous or surprising information about the topic.

Connect Your Ideas Begin your report with a hook. Most writing needs a good hook, something that will start it off with a bang. Other ways to Begin… With a quote from an interview With a dramatic or strong point With a description

Tie your facts together Now it’s time to tie your facts together in an interesting way. Simply listing the facts you’ve gathered would turn out like a shopping list: useful, but boring. But linking your facts together from beginning to end can change a list into an interesting report.

Use quotes and diagrams In your report, include someone’s actual words. That’s a quote. A person’s real words are always interesting. A strong quote from a real person brings your report to life. Diagrams are excellent for illustrating a point, and for displaying important information about your topic.

List your sources You will need to include a Bibliography page at the end of your report. To make a bibliography page, simply list your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name, or by the title if no author is given. If you’ve used the internet for some of your research, just include the website http address (e.g., in your bibliography.

Good luck!