Big Question

How can you tell

the difference
between ground
and tree squirrels?
TOPIC - What is a Species
 Learning Objectives

Define the term species & describe a species as a group of organisms

that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.

Success Criteria
1. Identify the similarities & differences between organisms.
2. Compare two different species of organisms.
3. Construct ideas how scientists decide if two organisms belongs to the same or different
species.
4. Justifying what a scientist would do to be sure that these organisms really do belong to two
different species.

Key Words: Species, Hybrid, fertile, Infertile, Variation, offspring.

 3 Minutes

Pre- Assessment

https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/61d35e20af73c4001eb7706b
Quizizz- · https://quizizz.com/join?gc=62207305

6220 7305
Introduction

in noteboo k
Write down your answer
Video
Learning Check
DEAR
 Complete the sentences Learning Check

2. Explain why biologists say that lions and tigers belong to different
species, even though they can sometimes reproduce together.
Learning Check Think like a scientist
1. What similarities can you see between the two species of ground squirrels in the
photographs?
2. What differences can you see between the two species of ground squirrels in the
photographs?
Answers
Learning Check
Learning Check
Answers
Learning Check
Answers
 Learning Check Differentiated Activities

Group-1 (Refer Support sheet posted on TEAMS) – LEVEL 1

Research & find the odd species out of Poodle, labrador, fox, Alsatian.

Group-2 (Refer Support sheet posted on TEAMS)

Research & find the odd species out of Canis lupus, dog, perro, chien.

Group-3 Research & find the odd species out of African donkey, Icelandic horse, New Forest
pony, Shetland pony.

Group-4 Zebras and horses are two different species, yet they have been known to produce
offspring together. How does this fit with the definition of species. Justify?

Group-5 Research hybrid offspring and how they fit with the definition of species for animals.
 Answers
1-Poodle, labrador, fox, alsatian
fox - different species
2-Canis lupus, dog, perro, chien
Canis lupus - scientific name
3-African donkey, Icelandic horse, New Forest pony, Shetland pony
African donkey - different species
4-Zebras and horses are two different species, yet they have been known to produce
offspring together. How does this fit with the definition of species? (The offspring are not
fertile).
 
5-Research hybrid offspring and how they fit with the definition of species for animals (e.g.
mule, liger, jaglion)
Mules

A horse and a donkey are able to reproduce and give birth to an animal known as a mule.

As a consequence, these two animals are not part of the same species
because they do not fit the definition.

Ligers

Lions and tigers are also able to mate to

produce an animal known as a ‘liger’.

Some ligers are fertile and some are not, so it is difficult to classify
lions and tigers ,are they separate, or part of the same species?
 Learning Check
Complete the followings worksheet.
Choose any two of the following.
Assessment Live worksheet
- https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/Science/Water_cycle/Clouds_and_rain_fy2
417156iu

- https://www.
.com/worksheets/en/Science/Water_cycle/Q4_SCIENCE_Worksheet_4_Water_Cycle_me1
959441iq
 2. Create a Species. (Complete the worksheet Attached)

Description- Create a Species

Challenging students to Create & write about a new species of animal. They must pretend they are explorers in a
distant place that have stumbled across a wealth of new species.
Using the sample and the template with the hint questions, you can illustrate and then write about their new
species, using tons of key science vocab as they go.

Instructions:
1. Brainstorm ideas about an organism that you make up on the end of this sheet. This can all be a made-up organism but make
sure it makes sense. (Do not put an organism with gills in the middle of a forest.)
2. Come up with a scientific name. Ex: Homo sapiens.
3. Draw your organism. Must be in color.
4. Draw/label your habitat. Must be in color. Include the following: factors- a symbiotic relationship with other species (tell me
which relationship). Draw your organism with its physical features in the habitat!
5. A. What does your organism eat? Describe, in detail, body physical features the food source your organism needs to survive.
B. Draw a picture and tell what it is.
6. List 4 interesting facts about your organism.
7. Write a paragraph story about your organism. Include information about its prey, predators, and habitat.
Remember, you made up this organism up, so make up interesting facts!
Have fun!!
Plenary
Ground and Tree squirrels

Find how a scientist

would do to be sure that
these organisms really do
belong to two different
species.
EXTENDED LEARNING
Earth's 'lost species’ - Research on How many
species of animals have become extinct.

https://onekindplanet.org/top-10/top-10-worlds-extinct-animals/