What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. includedAssessment
Students will be given short weekly quizzes and a final cumulative test. Students will immediately see their score.Grading
Student scores on their weekly quizzes and final test are returned immediately. I give written feedback on all submitted assignments. Please let me know if you would like a final numerical or letter grade.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
From antelopes to sharks to leopards to kangaroos, animals deserve to be appreciated and protected. If your student loves to think, read, and talk about animals, this is the class for you! With eight whole weeks of nothing but animals, students will gain an appreciation for the wild diversity within the animal kingdom. This class is organized by taxonomy and covers one or more categories of animals in each class. Lesson 1: Introduction to the Kingdom Animalia and taxonomy Lesson 2: Introduction to Vertebrates, Reptiles Lesson 3: Amphibians Lesson 4: Birds and Fish Lesson 5: Mammals (Terrestrial and Marine) Lesson 6: Worms (Platyhelminthes, Annelia, and Nematoda), Lesson 7: Cnidaria (corals, jellies, anemones), and Porifera (sea sponges) Lesson 8: Arthropods and Mollusks, Final Project/Test Each lesson includes a 15-30 minute pre-recorded lecture of me on the week's topic. Students are given guided notes for each lesson if they would like to use them. Supplemental videos, articles, and homework assignments will be shared in the classroom. There will be a short quiz each week and a test at the end of the unit. I will provide feedback to all submitted work and can provide a numerical grade if desired. This class is designed to be academically challenging but in a supportive and fun environment. I truly believe that all students want to be challenged if they can be guided along the way. If you are unsure as to whether this class is a good fit for your student, please send me a message. Please note that there may be small areas of overlap between other courses. Weeks 1 and 2 have some overlap with my Herpetology course but do include new material as well.
Learning Goals
Students will increase their knowledge of zoology through a study of the most significant classes and orders in the animal kingdom.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to the Kingdom Animalia and taxonomy
In this lesson, we'll dive right in and cover taxonomy basics, focusing on grouping and naming animals using binomial nomenclature. We'll explore major phyla and see the amazing diversity of animal life.
Lesson 2:
Reptiles
This lesson includes a brief overview of vertebrates, focusing on their defining features like the vertebral column, endoskeleton, and cranial structure. The lesson will focus on reptiles, including squamates (snakes and lizards), turtles, tuataras, and crocodilians.
Lesson 3:
Amphibians
This lesson, we'll review reptiles before learning about amphibians, noting their differences in scales and skin properties. We'll cover various orders like Caudata, Anura, and Apoda, and discuss unique traits such as autotomy and aposematic coloration.
Lesson 4:
Birds and Fish
This lesson, we'll explore birds and fish, noting key characteristics such as birds' hollow bones and feathers, as well as fish's swim bladders and different skeletal structures. We'll cover bird orders like Passeriformes, Anseriformes, and Accipitriformes, and fish classes such as Osteichthyes, Chondrichthyes, and Agnatha.
Other Details
Supply List
Handouts, lesson videos, and assignments will be provided. Students will have the ability to complete all assignments digitally but may choose to complete them using pen/pencil, markers, paint, etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Arkansas Teaching Certificate in Science
I am a high school biology, zoology, and environmental science teacher. Before teaching, I have worked in mammalogy research and at an aquarium, two major science museums and a primate sanctuary. I love zoology and giving students the chance to expose themselves to more specialized topics.
Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$10
weekly or $80 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 43 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 8-12
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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