Concordia University Nebraska Education Department Lesson Plan Format

Name: Sam Ellis Grade Level: 2nd Grade

Topic/Central Focus Subject: Science

Similarities and Differences in Animals Time Frame: 60 minutes

Standard(s) to be met in the lesson:

SC.2.3.1.A Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of
materials by their observable properties.

Learning Objective: Assessment Tool(s) and Procedures:

TSWBAT classify animals by their observable Sorting and matching animal characteristics
properties and characteristics. activity-group task

Informal observation during work time and

discussion

Research-Based Best Practice used in lesson and why it is appropriate/useful

Lecture-Discussion:
Cooperative Learning:
Student Engagement used throughout the lesson
Student/teacher engagement-lecture/discussion instructional strategy
Student/student engagement-students will work in small groups to complete a group task
and will engage in monitored debate
Key Vocabulary:
Reptile, amphibian, characteristics

Materials: Technology:
Matching cards of animals/characteristics, Magic School Bus clip about reptiles and
science textbook amphibians

Faith/Values Integration: SKIP THIS STEP

Procedure with time allotments:

A) Hook/Engage/Pre-Assess Students (10 minutes)
Arrange students into mixed ability groups of 3 to discuss what they already know
about different animals and their characteristics. Have them list as many animals as
they can, what kind of animal they are (reptiles, amphibians, or mammals), and why
they think the animals belong in each category.
Concordia University Nebraska Education Department Lesson Plan Format

B) Communicate the purpose of the lesson to students (objective/assessment)

(1 minute)
There are many different animals in the world. Some animals have many similar
characteristics, while others are very different. At the end of this section, you will be
able to understand the different characteristics of animals by sorting and classifying
several different animals into groups based on their characteristics.

C) Instructional Sequence:
1. (15 minutes) Students will watch two short clips from The Magic School Bus
about amphibians and reptiles and their characteristics.
-Hops Home clip (amphibians) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uux85TWxR0
-Cold Feet clip (reptiles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chDdwF0hrhk
2. (15 minutes) Lecture/discussion review of the characteristics of each type of
animal: reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Teacher will create a VENN diagram
on the board to illustrate the similarities and differences of animal types.
Classroom discussion about students’ observations of different pictures of animals
as they are shown on the board to determine what type of animal it is.
3. (15 minutes) In the same groups, students will work together to sort animal
photo cards into the following categories based on their observable
characteristics: reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. When they think they have
sorted them all correctly, the teacher will check it and discuss with the students
their reasoning for classifying each animal into each group type.

D) Closure: (4 minutes) Within the same groups, have each of the three students take
on the role of a reptile, an amphibian, and a mammal. Have them demonstrate
characteristics of each animal type by moving and acting like an animal of their choice
from each animal type category.