Grade 4 Science

Optional Unit: Vertebrates and Invertebrates

Unit overview:

In this unit students study the characteristics of a wide variety of animals within the animal kingdom. A major classification division of vertebrates and invertebrates is examined. Distinguishing characteristics of different animals within the animal kingdom are also examined. Dependence among animals is investigated, to consider why it is advantageous for animals to form social groups and to form symbiotic relationships.

Related units:

The Optional Unit on Plant Diversity is related. Comparisons can be made between the ways in which plants and animals adapt to their environments.
The Core Unit, Fossils and Rocks, is also related. Fossil evidence can be examined to investigate vertebrates and invertebrates which have become extinct.

Suggested themes:

animals, living things, vertebrates and invertebrates, wildlife

Factors of scientific literacy which should be emphasized:

• A3 holistic
• B4 organism
• B18 population
• C1 classifying
• C2 communicating
• C4 working cooperatively
• E2 using natural environments
• F1 longing to know and understand
• F4 valuing natural environments
• G1 interest
• G3 continuous learner

Common Essential Learnings foundational objectives which should be emphasized:

• To enable students to understand and use the vocabulary, structures and forms of expression which characterize science. (COM)
• To develop an understanding of how knowledge is created, evaluated, refined and changed within science. (CCT)
• To develop students' abilities to access knowledge. (IL)

Science foundational and learning objectives:

1. Investigate how the animal kingdom has been classified.
   1. Explain the purpose of a classification system.
   2. Recognize that things can be classified in many different ways.
   3. Explain that the animal kingdom can be sub-divided into vertebrates and invertebrates.
   4. Compare body structures of vertebrates and invertebrates.
2. Investigate how animals depend on each other.
   1. Identify animals that form social groups.
   2. Identify animals that form symbiotic relationships.
   3. Explain why groupings and relationships are advantageous to animals.
3. Appreciate the diversity of animals.
   1. Classify vertebrates.
   2. Recognize distinguishing characteristics among vertebrates.
   3. Classify invertebrates.
   4. Recognize distinguishing characteristics among invertebrates.