Invertebrates and Vertebrates

By: Michelle Fletcher

6th grade Science

State Standards 6th grade Science

• 6.3.1: Compare the characteristic structures of invertebrate animals (including sponges, segmented worms, echinoderms, mollusks, and arthropods) and vertebrate animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals).

Introduction

• We are going to take a field trip around the world to see different invertebrates and vertebrates. We will see mollusks, segmented worms, sponges, echinoderms, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish, and birds. We will access videos, webcams, and Brain Pop videos about animals, and various websites.

• After our journey we will go to the Riverbanks Zoo to compare what we have learned during our virtual field trip.

Directions• You will complete a Field Trip Report on your virtual

field trip. (Teacher will provide this before your journey begins.)

• There are 14 stops along the way. • Be sure to follow the directions on your report. • You will watch Brain Pop videos and complete the

quizzes at the end. Be sure to print your results and turn into the teacher.

• You will observe animal webcams and will need to fill out the webcam summary reports. (Teacher will provide these before your journey begins.)

• The Field Trip Report, Webcam summaries and Brain Pop videos will be graded.

• Most importantly, have fun!

Invertebrates

On your virtual field trip you will discover the wonderful world of Invertebrates: echinoderms, mollusks, sponges, segmented worms and arthropods. You will be able view webcams, streamline and brain pop videos. You will also follow links that will deepen your discovery. Be sure to follow all directions given to you and complete each stop along the way.

Invertebrates

• Invertebrates are animals that do not have backbones. They don’t have any bone tissue at all. They can be found just about everywhere. Some even live inside other organisms!

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/invertebrates/

Stop 1http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Invertebrates/default.cfm

Mollusks • All mollusks have a soft body• They are invertebrates and

have an outer shell.• Mollusks live on land, fresh

water, and salt water environments.

• Examples of Mollusks are: Oysters, Clams, Snails, and Mussles.

• Other examples are, Octopuses, Squids, and Slugs.

http://geology.er.usgs.gov/paleo/mollusks.shtml

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/mollusks/

Mollusks.asf

Stop 2

Click on this picture to watch a streamline video about mollusks

Echinoderms• A group of invertebrates that

live in the ocean.• Sea stars, sea urchins, sea

cucumbers, and sand dollars belong to this group.

• They feed off the ocean floor. • Their mouth is located in the

center of their body on the underside.

• Sea urchins and sand dollars, filter food from their surroundings. Sea stars feed on clams, snails, and even other echinoderms.

http://www.starfish.ch/reef/echinoderms.html

Stop 3

Sponges

• Sponges are the simplest invertebrates. They live in the water. They filter food from the water that surrounds them.

http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/coral/animals/sponges.htm

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/sponges/

Stop 4

Segmented Worms

• They have bodies that are divided into individual compartments, or segments.

• These worms are referred to as annelids, which means “ringed animals.”

• An example would be an earthworm.

• The segmented worm has a digestive system and an excretory system.

Stop 5

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Earthworms

Arthropods

• Arthropods are invertebrates that are found on land, in the water, and in the air. They have legs. Some have wings. Insects, spiders, crabs, and millipeds are all examples of arthropods.

http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=15

Stop 6

Click on this picture to watch the movie

Vertebrates. You will now delve into

the wonderful world of vertebrates: reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, and birds. You will continue to view streamline and Brain Pop videos. You will also have access to webcams and different links about invertebrates. Remember to follow the directions given to you.

Vertebrates

• Vertebrates are animals with backbones. Only 5% of animal species are vertebrates. Vertebrates are some of the most familiar animals on earth. They have what is called an endoskeleton. That means it’s skeleton is on the inside for support.

http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/vertebrates.html

Stop 7

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/vertebrates/

Reptiles•They have tough dry skin covered by scales.•They obtain oxygen from air with respiratory organs called lungs.•Their sensory organs are adapted for sensing on land.•They lay their eggs, which have shells, on land.•They are considered ectotherm (cold blooded).

Stop 8

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/a-reptiles.html

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Anaconda

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/reptiles/

Amphibians

•They have moist skin and lay eggs without shells.•They have two pairs of legs, or a total of four limbs.•They lay their eggs in water.•They obtain oxygen through their smooth, moist skin.•Many also have lungs.•Their sensory organs are adapted for sensing on land.•Most live in moist environments.•They are most active at night when the ground is wet with dew.

Stop 9http://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/amphibians/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Red-eyed-tree-frogs

Fish• They are the most diverse group

of animals. • There are more than 20,000

species of fish.• They come in many different

sizes, from tiny minnows to large whale sharks.

• Fish live in nearly every aquatic environment, from fresh lakes to the bottom of the sea.

• Fish are adapted for life in the water.

• Fish have sensory organs for taste, oder, and sound.

• They have gills to help them breathe. (Similar to our lungs)

Stop 10http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Bull-shark

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/fish/

Mammals• Mammals are a diverse group of

animals.• There are less than 5000 species

of mammals on the earth.• They come in different shapes and

sizes.• All mammals have hair during

some part of their lives.• Most mammals have teeth

specialized for consuming food.• All mammals produce milk, which

they feed their young.• Mammals are endotherms (warm-

blooded)Stop 11

http://www.earthlife.net/mammals/welcome.html

http://www.riverbanks.org/zooview/

http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/mammals

Birds• Birds are adapted to live in a

wide range of environments, while others have to live in one place.

• Many birds travel long distances during their lives.

• Some migrate at season change.

• Birds have feathers and a beak.

• They have four limbs: a pair of scaly legs and a pair of wings.

• Their eggs have hard shells.

Stop 12

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Pileatedwoodpecker

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/

http://www.buffalozoo.org/birds.html