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Vertebrates
Vertebrates are animals that have a spine. This unit helps students understand that vertebrates share common characteristics, including bone structure and major parts of the skeleton, and that vertebrates can be organized into five classes: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Each class of vertebrates can be distinguished from the others by its common characteristics, including body covering, body temperature, means of breathing, birth method, and other distinguishing features. [For invertebrates resources, find the Invertebrates unit in the Life Sciences domain.]
Overview Resources
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Unit Guide
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Unit Resource List
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NGSS Correlations Chart
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Vertebrates Unit Roadmaps
Unit Nonfiction Books
Vertebrates
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Accessible book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
mid
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Accessible book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
high
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Accessible book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
Lesson Resources
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Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide
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Discussion Cards
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Blank Discussion Cards
Project-Based Learning Packs
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SAZ Journal (3-4)
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PBL Overview
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Teacher Rubric - Individual, 3-6
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Teacher Rubric - Team, 3-6
Skeletal Structure and Movement
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PBL Project Organizer - Vertebrates
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PBL Teaching Tips - Vertebrates
Process Activities
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Process Activity Materials Lists - All 3-4 units
FOCUS Books
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FOCUS Book Teacher's Guide
Extreme Amphibians
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital
Mammals of the Trees
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital
Our Wild Pets
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital
Vertebrates of Madagascar
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital
Animals in Groups
high
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Teaching Tips
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Digital
Supporting Materials
Investigation Packs
Reptiles
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Complete Investigation Pack
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Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide
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I.File Response Sheet
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I. Files Teaching Tips
I.Files
Mystery File
Science Fair Resources
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Science Fair Teacher's Guide (3-4)
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Science Fair Student Guide
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Science Fair Rubric
Science Fair Project Ideas
Debates
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Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6)
Mammal, Bird, or Reptile?
Science Videos
A Day in the Life of a Sea Otter
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Adventures of the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Creatures of the Deep: Anglerfish
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Creatures of the Deep: Chimaera
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Dinosaur Bird Bones
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Dolphins at the Doctor
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Five Classes of Vertebrates
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Discussion Questions
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Teaching Tips
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Video
Manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Open Rivers: Abundant Fish
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Discussion Questions
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Video
The Harbor Seal in Seaside Homebody
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Discussion Questions
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Video
The Killer Whale in Three of a Kind
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Discussion Questions
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Video
The Manatee in Destination: Warm Waters
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Wandering Seals
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Weird Animals: Blackspotted Puffer Fish
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Weird Animals: Giant Moray Eel
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Weird Animals: Manta Ray
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Weird Animals: Painted Flutemouth Fish
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Discussion Questions
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Video
Career Files
Farrier; Paleontologist; X-ray Technician
Quick Reads
Be a Skull Detective!
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Be a Skull Detective!
mid
Be a Skull Detective!
high
How Fossils Are Made
high
Reading A-Z Books
The Hard Stuff! All About Bones
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
Graphic Organizers
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All Intermediate Nonfiction Graphic Organizers
Retelling Rubrics
Nonfiction Retelling Rubric
Science Diagrams
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Science Diagram Teacher's Guide
Comparing Limb Bones of Vertebrates
Game Packs
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Game Pack Guide
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Blank Image Cards
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Game Boards
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Word Sort Placemat
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Wordo Board
Complete Vertebrates Game Pack
Word Work
Unscramble; Matching; Word Sort
Unit Nonfiction Books
Vertebrados
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
mid
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
high
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Single-sided book
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Double-sided book
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Book Quiz
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Digital
FOCUS Books
Anfibios extremos
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Digital
Los mamíferos de los árboles
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Digital
Nuestras mascotas salvajes
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Digital
Vertebrados de Madagascar
mid
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Digital
Los animales en groupos
high
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Single-sided
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Double-sided
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Digital
Book Assembly