Elementary School Programs   

 
 

We use a multidisciplinary approach which touches on concepts learned in one or more of the major strands of science and technology outlined in the curriculum.  In doing so, we can teach students how these strands of science and technology relate to each other and the ways in which their new found knowledge can be applied to the world outside the classroom.  The dynamic and captivating reptiles and amphibians we bring into your classroom will increase your students’ interest in learning; thereby, increasing the richness of their educational experience.

 

The educational programs that Reptilia will provide for your students are tightly linked to the science and technology curriculum.  Our presentations introduce and reinforce the concepts that students are learning in class.

 

As with all other educational programs provided by Reptilia, programs for elementary schools are directly linked to the Ontario curriculum.  Click on the links below to learn more about programs for students in grades 1-7.  Select one of the links below to see how Reptilia can provide curriculum compliant lessons for students in your class.

 

Select from the links below to read more about lesson options for each grade.

 

 

 

 

| Grade One - Characteristics and Needs of Living Things | Grade Two - Growth and Changes in Animals |

| Grade Three - Growth and Changes in Plants| Grade Four - Habitats and Communities |

 | Grade Five - Organ Systems | Grade Six - Diversity of Living Things | Grade Seven - Community Interactions |

  

Grade One Life Systems - Characteristics and Needs of Living Things

The Characteristics of Living Things: How Do We Know It’s Alive?

Students learn about the characteristics of all living things.  Specifically, that living things move, reproduce, consume energy, grow, and die.  We explore these characteristics of life and the variation in these characteristics.  For example, students learn about the many ways that animals move through their environment.

 

Student Expectations: Describe the characteristics of all living things; understand the differences between living and non-living things; demonstrate an understanding of the differences between the five vertebrate classes (fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds).
Key Concepts/Words:

Energy

Food
Growth
Life Cycle
Movement
Reproduction

 

Exploring The Needs of Living Things

This lesson focuses on the basic necessities of life: energy, water, shelter/space, and air.  Students learn how animals meet these needs in their environment and how changes to the environments affect the survival of animals.

 

Student Expectations: Describe the needs of all living things; understand that these are also human needs; demonstrate the similarities between the necessities for good health in humans and in animals.
Key Concepts/Words:

Air
Diet
Energy
Food
Growth
Pollution
Senses
Shelter/Space
Water

 

Using the Senses to Learn About Senses!

This lesson focuses on the five senses and how they help animals, including people, survive.  Students learn about the fascinating variation in sensory abilities of different types of animals and they begin to learn about how senses are needed for survival.  Best of all, students use their senses of sight, smell, touch, and hearing to learn about the animals we bring to your classroom (however, we hope none of the students taste the animals!) 

 

Student Expectations: Describe the five senses and the organs associated with them; illustrate variation in the sensory abilities of animals; explain that senses are needed for survival.
Key Concepts/Words:

Hearing
Senses
Sense Organs
Sight
Smell
Taste
Touch

 

 

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Grade Two Life Systems - Growth and Changes in Animals

Animals Adapting to Changes in the Environment

All organisms must be able to respond and adapt to changes in their environment because there are no environments that are unchanging.  Animals respond to changes in temperature, water availability, food availability and more.  Students learn how different vertebrates respond and adapt to these seasonal changes.

 

Student Expectations: Describe the factors that change in an environment; explore the variety of ways animals respond and adapt to environmental change; demonstrate an understanding of underlying reason for the differences in the response of different types of vertebrates to changes in the environment.
Key Concepts/Words:

Amphibian
Bird
Ectothermic/Endothermic
Fish
Food
Mammal
Reptile
Temperature
Water

 

 

Animal Life Cycles – Birth, Growth, Reproduction, and Parental Care

Just as there is variation in the appearance of vertebrates, there is variation in the life cycles of vertebrates.  This lesson focuses on the life cycles of vertebrates and introduces students to the many different ways animals are born, grow, reproduce, and care for their young.

 

Student Expectations: Identify the stages of a life cycle; identify variation in life cycles of different animals; discuss differences in the way animals care for their young.
Key Concepts/Words:

Amphibian
Bird
Birth
Fish
Growth
Mammal
Parental Care
Reptile
Reproduction

 

Exploring The Characteristics of Vertebrates

Students learn all about the five classes of vertebrates and compare their characteristics.  Reptilia’s staff describe the physical characteristics, behavioral characteristics, and life cycle characteristics of reptiles and amphibians and compare them to birds, mammals, and fish. 

 

Student Expectations: Describe the characteristics of all five classes of vertebrates; understand the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate; demonstrate an understanding of the differences between the five vertebrate classes.
Key Concepts/Words:

Amphibian
Bird
Ectothermic/Endothermic
Fish
Life Cycle
Mammal
Reproduction
Reptile
Vertebrate

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Grade Three Life Systems - Growth and Changes in Plants

Plant animal Interactions

The natural world is a strange and wonderful place where all living things are intricately linked to each other.  The interaction and interdependence between plants and animals is an excellent way to introduce the concept of interconnectedness to students.  This lesson helps students to identify the similarities between plants and animals and it introduces them to the interactions between these two types of organisms.

 

Student Expectations: Identify the similarities between plants and animals; identify differences between plants and animals; discuss interactions between plants and animals
Key Concepts/Words:

Energy
Food
Interaction
Growth
Life Cycle
Movement
Pollination
Reproduction

 

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Grade Four Life Systems - Habitats and Communities

Adaptations: The intricate link between organisms and their habitat

All organisms face the challenge of obtaining enough energy and water to survive; avoiding predators; and getting enough air.  These are the primary challenges organisms face, which is why adaptations usually help animals cope with one of these challenges.  This lesson focuses on adaptations and the relationship between an organism and its habitat.

 

Student Expectations: Identify the basic elements essential for survival in any habitat; understand the variation in the availability of these elements in different habitat types; understand the many ways in which animals cope with the challenges in their habitat.
Key Concepts/Words:

Air
Adaptation
Community
Competition
Energy
Food Web
Interaction
Predator
Prey
Space
Shelter
Water

Humans and Habitats: What is our role?

Human activities have an effect on the environment. Our day-to-day activities affect the air we breathe, the water we need to drink, and organisms we depend on for survival.  This lesson focuses on humans the interrelationship between our activities and habitats.

 

Student Expectations: Demonstrate an understanding that humans alter and change habitats; understand that changes are both positive and negative; identify ways in which we depend on organisms in our environment; demonstrate an understanding of what humans do to protect habitats.
Key Concepts/Words:

Air
Conservation
Endangered
Energy
Extinct
Food Web
Habitat Loss
Interaction
Pollution
Water

Habitats and Communities: The Essentials

The diversity of animals and habitats in which they live is astounding.  Students learn about the essential elements of any habitat and they begin to understand the interactions between organisms within habitats.  The concept of food chains be introduced and discussed.

 

Student Expectations: Identify the basic elements essential for survival in any habitat; understand the variation in the availability of these elements in different habitat types; demonstrate an understanding of the term community and the interactions that occur within a community of organisms.
Key Concepts/Words:

Air
Community
Competition
Energy
Food Web
Interaction
Niche
Predator
Prey
Space
Shelter
Water

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Grade Five Life Systems - Organ Systems

Organ Organization and Integration

How do the organs of other organisms work compared to ours?  How are organ systems integrated to perform as one unit to sustain life?  These are some of the questions explored in this lesson.  Our lesson is a tour of the organ systems found in all terrestrial vertebrates highlighting variation in the structure and function of the major organs and systems.  Students gain a better understanding of the way these systems work together.

 

Student Expectations: Demonstrate an understanding of the function of the five major organ systems; investigate the role of each organ within the systems; explore the variation in organ systems in different animals

 

Key Concepts/Words:

Circulatory System Digestive System
MusculoSystem Nervous-skeletal System
Nervous System Food Respiratory System
System Integration
 

 

 

 

 

 

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Grade Six Life Systems - Diversity of Living Things

Classic Classification: How we organize the living world?

Scientists classify organisms according to a specific guideline established by Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish biologist who lived in the 1700’s.  This classification system is used to organize species into workable groups of living things that are similar in many ways.  This lesson focuses on the methods of classification and the characteristics of animals in the five vertebrate classes.

 

Student Expectations: Demonstrate an understanding of scientific classification; identify characteristics suitable for use in scientific classification; identify and classify animals from the five vertebrate classes; understand the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.
Key Concepts/Words:

Amphibian
Bird
Characteristic
Classification
Ectothermic
Endothermic
Fish
Fossil
Invertebrate
Mammal
Reptile
Vertebrate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Grade Seven Life Systems - Community Interactions

Ecological Essentials: The Delicate Balance

The diversity of animals and ecosystems in which they live is astounding; however the basic elements of these ecosystems remain the same and the natural laws that dictate the interactions within the system are predictable.  This lesson focuses on the basic concept of ecology and introduces students to the idea of ecological interactions.

 

Student Expectations: Identify the basic elements of an ecosystem; understand the interactions that occur within an ecosystem; demonstrate an understanding of the terms community, population, abiotic, and biotic.
Key Concepts/Words:

Abiotic
Biotic
Community
Competition
Energy
Food Web
Niche
Population
Predator
Prey
Space
Shelter
Water

 

Humans and Ecosystems: How do we fit in?

Humans do not operate outside the laws of nature.  The laws that govern ecological processes apply to our activities.  This lesson focuses on the links between our actions and the health of ecosystems.  Students apply their basic knowledge of ecosystems to better understand the role of the human population in ecological processes.

 

Student Expectations: Demonstrate an understanding that humans alter and change ecosystems; understand that changes are both positive and negative; identify ways in which we depend on ecosystems; demonstrate an understanding of what humans do to protect ecosystems.
Key Concepts/Words:

Air
Conservation
Endangered Ecosystems
Energy
Extinction
Food Web
Habitat Loss
Interaction
Pollution
Technology
Water

 

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