CU 5.04Vertebrate and Invertebrate
The child feels their own backbone and sorts animals into those with a backbone (vertebrates) and those without (invertebrates).
Presentation
- 1
Invite the child to feel the bumps down the middle of their own back: 'This is your backbone.'
- 2
Show the skeleton picture and point to the backbone.
- 3
Say: 'Animals with a backbone are vertebrates. Animals without a backbone are invertebrates.'
- 4
Recall the five animal puzzles: 'Fish, frog, turtle, bird, and horse all have backbones.'
- 5
Show a worm picture: 'A worm has no backbone. It is an invertebrate.'
- 6
Place the header cards and sort the pictures together.
- 7
Invite the child to finish and check with the control chart.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Sort a larger set of pictures
- Look for invertebrates outside: ants, worms, beetles, spiders
- Make a vertebrate and invertebrate booklet
Control of error
The control chart shows every animal in its correct group.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Sorts animals correctly
- Explains that vertebrates have a backbone
- Finds an invertebrate outdoors and names it
Guide note
Handle live invertebrates gently and return them where they were found.