Classifying Animals: Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates

Pinterest can be used in the classroom in many ways, the following pictures will show you possible outcomes of a project that I created for future possible students to do in the classroom on vertebrates and invertebrates.

Step 1: Make a poster about Invertebrates

Step 2: Make a poster about Vertebrates

Here is the project if you would like to do it in your classroom. 

The rubric will be following the procedure of the project.

Essential Question(s): What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates? What if no one noticed it before?

Standard(s):  LS.2.4.2 Classify animals into vertebrates or invertebrates

Lesson Objective(s):  Write a behavioral objective that reflects the standard and indicates how learning will be measurable (i.e. rubric).

Overview:  This project is to allow the students to learn how to research on their own, and it is also to let them get ahead on the next unit which is about vertebrates/invertebrates.

Assignment:  This is what you will have to do.

1.      In order to be successful on this project, you will have to make 2 posters:

a.      One poster is for vertebrates

b.      The other is for invertebrates

2.      On the vertebrate poster, you may go to the local zoo or Bass Pro shop and take pictures with various animals. If you choose to do the project this way, you must be in each picture.

3.      There must be at least 3 different kingdoms on this poster.

4.      If you are unable to do this, that is fine. You may use pictures that you find on the internet, but you have to list each kingdom that is a vertebrate.

5.      For the invertebrate poster, the only one that you would be able to take a picture with would be the earth worm, so you are required to list the kingdoms that are invertebrates and provide example pictures that you find on the internet as well.

6.      Bonus points are possible for creativity.
At the end of this project, students should be able to differentiate between vertebrates and invertebrates with ease.

Assignment Title Rubric

Classifying Animals: Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates Teacher Name: Ms. Golleher Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	Weight for Each Category	4	3	2	1
Title	X1 (up to 4 pts available)	The student has clearly labeled each poster board with either \"Vertebrates\" or \"Invertebrates\" in large letters at the top of the poster.	The student labeled each poster with the correct words, but it is either not at the top or in small letters.	The student labeled each poster with the correct words, but the title is not at the top and is in small letters.	The student failed to put a title on one or both of the posters, or the title was incomplete.
Labels	X2 (up to 8 points available)	The student has neatly and correctly labeled each animal based on its class and if it is a vertebrate or invertebrate.	The student correctly labeled each animal based on its class and if it is a vertebrate or invertebrate, but it is messy.	The student neatly labeled each animal based on its class and if it is a vertebrate or invertebrate, but it is incorrect.	The student left some labels out or did not label at all.
General Formatting	X2 (up to 8 points available)	Must be on a poster board at least 18x10inches in size.	On large paper, but is not poster board.	On construction or printer paper.	On notebook paper.
Drawing - general	X1 (up to 4 points available)	Lines are clear and neat. There are no stray marks on the paper. Overall, the quality of the drawing is pleasing.	Lines are not as clear or neat. There are a few stray marks on the paper, but the quality of the drawing is good.	Lines are not clear or neat. There are a handful of stray marks on the paper, and the drawing required little effort.	Lines were not used. Stray marks are noticeably present on the paper, and the quality of the drawing is lacking.
Accuracy	X3 (up to 12 points available)	95% or more of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. All assigned structures are labeled accurately.	94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. All assigned structures are labeled accurately.	94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. 94-85% of the assigned structures are labeled accurately.	Less than 85% of the assigned structures are drawn AND/OR labeled accurately.
Knowledge Gained	X3 (up to 12 points available)	The student is able to classify every animal that you ask about as a vertebrate or invertebrate.	The student is able to classify most of the animals that you ask about as a vertebrate or invertebrate.	The student is able to classify some of the animals that you ask about as a vertebrate or invertebrate.	The student is able to classify half or less of the animals that you ask about as a vertebrate or invertebrate.
Spelling	X2 (up to 8 points available)	All words are spelled correctly in the title, labels and caption/description.	All common words are spelled correctly in the title, labels and description. 1-2 scientific words may be misspelled.	Most of the words are spelled correctly in the title, labels, and description.	Less than half of the words are spelled correctly in the title, labels, and description.
Bonus Points	(up to 10 possible bonus points)	The student includes pictures of themselves with vertebrates. (5 possible points)	The student\'s poster is very creative and shows that they worked hard to make it look interesting. (5 possible points)	The student shows vast knowledge of the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate. (5 possible points)	The student names off the different kingdoms of either/both vertebrates and invertebrates. (5 possible points.