Year 7 Science Investigation

Comparing Animal Species.

 Outline.
1. Introduction to the idea of Independent Investigation.
Discuss with the group the sources that they would use in
order to access information about animal species, such as
books and the internet, including;
• Classification (group – subgroup – species)
• Habitat,
• Diet,
• Similarities and differences between their two chosen
organisms.
2. Show the pupils the different pairs of organisms and
allow them to choose a pair that they would like to
research.
3. Outline the work that is expected of them, which will
result in the production of a poster presentation, a
booklet/pamphlet or a PowerPoint presentation (this
should depend upon the teachers’ assessment of the
individual pupils’ ability, as well as the pupils’ wishes).
Tell the pupils that they have been tasked by a local zoo
to produce the presentations in order to inform visitors –
making sure that they don’t think that this is, indeed, the
case - of their findings.
4. It is important that pupils understand the sources that
they use are meant to be the basis of their work, and
that simply copying and pasting is not sufficient. They
need to access the information and then write the work
in their own words.
5. Hand out the work booklets, which include the list of
known websites (there may be others that, if used,
should be included in the pupils list of resources) that can
then be used to gather together the information that will
be needed. This point may be mute, depending on the
results of the meeting on Tuesday evening, 27/01/09.
6. The pupils will need access to computers for the following
2 lessons in order to research their chosen species,
 although this may be extended if there are large numbers
who intend to present their work via PowerPoint. Again,
this point requires discussion before timings are
finalised.
7. A further 2 lessons will then be needed to prepare and
present their work. Ditto

Animal Pairings

1. Tiger Shark and Killer Whale (Orca)

2. Chimpanzee and Vervet Monkey
3. Mustang (Horse) and North American Bison
4. Pipistrelle Bat and Hummingbird
5. Salamander and Gecko Lizard
 Useful websites

Tiger Shark and Orca.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/tiger-
shark.html

www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/species/Tigersha
rk.shtml

www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Tigershark/tigershar
k.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/180.shtml

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/tiger-shark.htm

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=37

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/killer-
whale.html

www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/orca.html

www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales/species/Orca.sht
ml

Chimpanzee and Vervet Monkey

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/chimp
anzee.html

www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/apes/chimpanzee.shtml
www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/chimpanzee

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resourses/Grzime
k_mammals/Hominidae/Pan_troglodytes.jpg?view.html

www.honoluluzoo.org/chimpanzee.htm

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/chimpanzee-
info.htm

www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/vervetmonkey

Mustang and Bison.

www.horseshowcentral.com/flen/mustang_horse/256/1

www.worldofhorses.co.uk/horses_usa/breeds/horse_breed_Mu
stang_Horse.htm

www.giveusahome.co.uk/allpets/horses/mustang.htm

http://horsety[pe.com/text.php?id=103

www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=97

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/informat
ion/Bison_bison.htm

www.nps.gov/archive/wica/Bison.htm

www.ypte.org.uk/animal/bison-american-/54

www.answers.com/topic/american-bison-1
www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Bison-bison.html

Pipistrelle bat and Hummingbird.

www.ypte.org.uk/animal/bat-pipistrelle-/115

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/291.shtml

www.bio.bris.ac.uk/research/bats/britishbats/batpages/comm
onpipi.htm

www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/p/pipistrellebat.
asp

www.essortment.com/all/hummingbirdsin_rbow.htm

www.rubythroat.org/MiscellanyMain.html

www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Rufous_Humm
ingbird_dtl.html

www.avianweb.com/hummingbirds.htm

www.infochembio.ethz.ch/links/en/zool_voegel_kolibris.html

Salamander and Gecko.

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/informat
ion/Animalia.html

www.www.essortment.com/all/whataresalaman_rbgk.htm

www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-salamander.html
www.arkive.org/north-african-fire-salamander/salamandra-
algira/info.html

www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/476.shtml

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/reptiles/iguanas/leopardge
cko.html

www.thewildones.org/Animals/rigecko.html

www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/reptiles-and-
frogs/lizards/gecko/facts/
 Science Investigation.

Pupil Name …………………………………………

Science Group …………………

Animal Pair ………………………………………………

….
Writing Frame.

1. Species names, both common and Latin (scientific). Can

be extended to use the classification system.

2. Habitat(s). Where in the world – what type of climate –

tropical, temperate, arctic - forest, grassland or desert –
freshwater or marine?

3. Diet. PredatorPrey? Carnivore (meat eater), herbivore

(plant eater) or omnivore (may eat both plants and
animals)?

4. Special features/adaptations.

5. Other features, such as size, life span and sociability.

6. Comparison of species. Similarities and differences.