How young animals are alike and unlike their parents

General

In this lesson, students will learn that adult animals and their offspring have similar and different features. Students will analyze photographs and videos and make observations about adult animals and their offspring in order to explain how they are alike and different.

Standards

1-LS1-1
1-LS1-2
1-LS3-1

Learning objective

Students will be able to explain how young animals are alike and unlike their parents.

Introduction

Students will discuss the following question: Do all animals look exactly like their parents? They will be asked to share examples to support their thinking. Then, they will complete a sorting activity to try and match the baby animal with the adult one.

Instruction

The lesson will go over the term “offspring” and discuss with students that young animals often are a smaller version or have similar features such as coloring, eye colors, patterns. Students will learn they inherit these traits from their parents so there is some resemblance. They will also learn that since babies are smaller and still have to grow, some of these features may look different. The lesson will show photographs and videos of young and adult animals. Students will be asked to make observations, take notes using a Venn Diagram, and discuss how these animals are alike and different.

Quiz

Students will respond to 10 questions including 6 true/false and 4 multiple-choice.

Closing

Students will use a Venn diagram to compare/contrast an adult elephant with its calf. Then, they will choose an animal adult/young pair, from the given examples, to draw and label how they are alike and different.

Teaching tips

Allow students to take notes in the Venn Diagram during the lesson. You may also have students keep a journal with pictures of the animals where they can record their observations.

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