Chisago Lakes Baptist School

Third Grade Animal Notebook Project

            In third grade science, we are studying the classification of animals. We are learning that vertebrates have a backbone and can be classified as a mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or bird. Invertebrates have no backbone.

            Through this project, students will learn beginning organizational skills and following project instructions. The following are guidelines for the successful completion of the project:

5. Each of the six sections will use a different colored paper and will consist of a title page, characteristic page, a report on one animal, and at least five pictures of animals from that group.
5. The title page gives the name of the category (mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and invertebrate).
5. The characteristics for each category are on the back of this page. These should be neatly written in cursive on notebook paper, attached to a piece of colored paper, and placed just behind each title page.
5. Include one report from the Cursive Writing Skillbook for each of the categories. These should be written in cursive on notebook paper, mounted on colored paper, and placed right behind the characteristic page.
6. At least five pictures are needed for each of the six categories listed above (30 total). The pictures may be cut from magazines, newspapers, or the Cursive Writing Skillbook. Neatly mount pictures on colored paper. Several small pictures of one category may be placed on the same sheet of paper. Each picture must be neatly labeled in cursive writing with the name of the animal.
5. The project should be fastened together into a notebook and have an attractive cover decorated by the student. The cover should include the title of the project and the student’s name.

To help with the project being completed correctly, students will submit the individual sections on the following dates. I will check the section and make suggestions for improvement.

Mammals:      Wednesday, Sept. 21             Reptiles:                     Wednesday, Oct. 12

Birds:              Wednesday, Sept. 28             Amphibians:             Wednesday, Oct. 19

Fish:                Wednesday, Oct. 5                Invertebrates:            Wednesday, Oct. 26

The final project is due Wednesday, November 2. Late projects will lose points.

Students will be graded on neatness, spelling, six sections each with their own title page, characteristics page, report page, and pictures.

Please ask me if you have any questions. I have an example of the animal notebook project that students and parents may look at in the classroom.

Characteristics

All Mammals are alike in five ways:

1. They make milk for their babies.
2. They have at least some hair.
3. No mammal has more than four limbs.
4. All mammals are warmblooded.
5. All mammals have lungs and breathe air.

All Birds are alike in five ways:

1. All birds have feathers.
2. All birds have wings.
3. All birds have two legs.
4. All birds breathe with lungs.
5. All birds have bills or beaks.

All Fish are alike in three ways:

1. All fish have gills.
2. All fish have fins.
3. Fish are coldblooded.

All Reptiles are alike in three ways:

1. All reptiles breathe with lungs.
2. All reptiles are covered with dry scales.
3. All reptiles are coldblooded.

All Amphibians are alike in four ways:

1. All amphibians breathe with gills in water when they are born, and some breathe with lungs on land later.
2. All amphibians have smooth, moist skin.
3. All amphibians lay eggs.
4. All amphibians are coldblooded.

All Invertebrates are alike in five ways:

1. They have no backbones.
2. They usually have weak muscles.
3. They usually are small animals with soft bodies.
4. If they do have skeletons, the skeletons are on the outside of their bodies for strength and protection.
5. They are coldblooded.