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

Print Unit Guide PDF Project Unit Guide
Unit Guide
Print Unit Resource List PDF Project Unit Resource List
Unit Resource List
Print NGSS Correlations Chart PDF Project NGSS Correlations Chart
NGSS Correlations Chart

Print Invertebrates Unit Road Maps PDF Project Invertebrates Unit Road Maps
Invertebrates Unit Road Maps

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Read-First Model

In the read-first model, students begin by reading texts that help them build a foundation of understanding with the core science ideas of the unit. Then they engage in hands-on investigations and use other resources to explore examples related to the concepts they read about. Students learn about general concepts before using deductive reasoning to apply them to specific examples.

Vocabulary resources can be used at multiple points throughout the unit to develop and strengthen students� fluency with the disciplinary language of science. TIP: Challenge students to maintain a concept web throughout the unit that connects the examples they explore later in the roadmap back to the core ideas they read about in the Unit Nonfiction Book.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity Quick Reads
Core Text
Unit Nonfiction Books
Apply Concepts
Process Activity
Dig Deeper
Investigation Pack Science Videos
Extend The Learning
Career Files Debate Reading A-Z Books*

* Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

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Do-First Model

In the do-first model*, students are immersed in unit concepts by completing hands-on investigations that allow them to apply science and engineering practices and construct their own explanations of core ideas. Then students read texts, watch videos, and complete more investigations that help them confirm or refine their explanations. Vocabulary resources can be used at multiple points throughout the unit to develop and strengthen students� fluency with the disciplinary language of science. TIP: Have students use a science journal to record the examples they explore through activities and readings, then challenge them to design a concept web that connects those examples to the core ideas they read about in the Unit Nonfiction Book toward the end of the roadmap.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity
Lead Investigations
Process Activity
Dig Deeper
Quick Reads Investigation Pack Science Videos
Core Text
Unit Nonfiction Books
Extend The Learning
Career Files Debate Reading A-Z Books**

* This model may also be referred to as the discovery method, in which students use inductive reasoning to determine broad concepts by first exploring examples.
** Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

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Project-Based Model

In the project-based model*, students work in teams to investigate a science question or design a solution to an engineering challenge. The PBL Project Organizer, SAZ Journal, completed project, and group presentation all allow students to demonstrate what they have learned and accomplished. The PBL Teaching Tips help teachers facilitate the project, while rubrics for teachers and students can be used to assess group and individual performance. During planning and execution, students use other unit resources to build their understanding of core concepts that they can apply to their project.

Start Here
Generate Interest
Unit Guide
spark activity
Project-Based Learning Pack
Unit Nonfiction Books Investigation Pack Game Pack/ Image Cards Vocabulary Cards Science Videos Quick Reads Process Activity
Additional Resources
Career Files Debate Word Work Reading A-Z Books**

* This model is sometimes referred to as a problem-based approach to learning, in which the objective is to solve a problem. In Science A-Z Project-Based Learning Packs, students do both�solve a problem and produce a product.
** Each unit includes one free book from Reading A�Z. To access other titles related to the science topic, a subscription to Reading A�Z or Raz-Plus is required.

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Invertebrates

Read-First Model

Generate Interest

Core Text

Apply Concepts

Dig Deeper

Extend The Learning

Do-First Model

Generate Interest

Lead Investigations

Dig Deeper

Core Text

Extend The Learning

Project-Based Model

Generate Interest

Project-Based Learning Pack

Additional Resources

Unit Nonfiction Books

Invertebrates

Lesson Resources

Process Activities

Observe Invertebrates

Supporting Materials

Investigation Packs

I.Files

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Arizona Bark Scorpion

Giant African Millipede

Leaf Insect

Mexican Redknee Tarantula

Bombardier Beetle

Mystery File

Tardigrades

Science Fair Resources

Science Fair Project Ideas

Debates

What to Do with the Bees?

Science Videos

Bees' Disease

Coral Forests of the Deep

Creatures of the Deep: Basket Star

Creatures of the Deep: Sea Spider

The Octopus and the Coconut (no audio)

Weird Animals: Sea Cucumber

Career Files

Beekeeper; Entomologist; Lobsterman

Quick Reads

How Spiders Grow

How Spiders Grow

How Spiders Grow

The Changing Octopus

The Changing Octopus

The Changing Octopus

Reading A-Z Books

You're a Jellyfish! - Level O

Graphic Organizers

Classify Information

KWL Chart

Word Smart

Retelling Rubrics

Nonfiction Retelling Rubric

Science Diagrams

Insect Body Parts

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Types of Symmetry

Game Packs

Complete Invertebrates Game Pack

Image Cards

Vocabulary Cards

Vocabulary Cards

Invertebrates

Word Work

Unscramble; Matching; Fill in the Blank

Unit Nonfiction Books

Invertebrados

Book Assembly

Single-Sided

Double-Sided