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Invertebrates
Invertebrates are animals that do not have a spine. While students may be more familiar with vertebrates, it is the invertebrate group that represents over 95 percent of all animals on Earth. This unit explores six groups of invertebrates: poriferans (sponges), cnidarians (e.g., sea jellies and corals), echinoderms (e.g., sea urchins and sea stars), mollusks (e.g., octopuses, snails, and clams), annelids (worms), and arthropods (e.g., insects, spiders, and crustaceans). All invertebrates share several traits, but there is also amazing diversity among invertebrate groups. (For vertebrates resources, find the Vertebrates unit in the Life Sciences domain.)
Overview Resources
- Unit Guide
- Unit Resource List
- NGSS Correlations Chart
- Invertebrates Unit Road Maps
Unit Nonfiction Books

Invertebrates
low- Single-sided book
- Double-sided book
- Book Quiz
- Digital
- Single-sided book
- Double-sided book
- Book Quiz
- Digital
- Single-sided book
- Double-sided book
- Book Quiz
- Digital
Lesson Resources
- Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide
- Discussion Cards
- Blank Discussion Cards
FOCUS Books
New

Silky Spiderwebs
low- Single-sided
- Double-sided
- Teaching Tips
- Digital
New

Anemones
mid- Single-sided
- Double-sided
- Teaching Tips
- Digital
New

Annelids: World of Worms
mid- Single-sided
- Double-sided
- Teaching Tips
-
Listen to Annelids: World of Worms Read Annelids: World of Worms See the Quiz for Annelids: World of WormsDigital
New

Invertebrate Fossils
mid- Single-sided
- Double-sided
- Teaching Tips
- Digital
New

Mouthparts for Every Meal
high- Single-sided
- Double-sided
- Teaching Tips
-
Listen to Mouthparts for Every Meal Read Mouthparts for Every Meal See the Quiz for Mouthparts for Every MealDigital
Supporting Materials
Investigation Packs
Arthropods
- Complete Investigation Pack
- Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide
- I.File Response Sheet
- I. Files Teaching Tips
I.Files






Mystery File

Tardigrades
- Digital
Science Fair Resources
Science Videos

Bees' Disease
- Discussion Questions
- Video

Coral Forests of the Deep
- Discussion Questions
- Video

Creatures of the Deep: Basket Star
- Discussion Questions
- Video

Creatures of the Deep: Sea Spider
- Discussion Questions
- Video

The Octopus and the Coconut (no audio)
- Discussion Questions
- Video

Weird Animals: Sea Cucumber
- Discussion Questions
- Video
Career Files

Beekeeper; Entomologist; Lobsterman
- Digital
Quick Reads






Reading A-Z Books
Graphic Organizers
Science Diagrams

Insect Body Parts
- Digital

Life Cycle of a Butterfly
- Digital

Types of Symmetry
- Digital
Game Packs