
The Parts of Animals
Levels 1 and 2

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Biological Environment: Develop understanding that a living thing has characteristics which help it survive in its habitat.
Te Taiao: Ka mārama haere ki ngā āhuatanga o ia mea oreore e rite ana kia whai oranga ai ia i tōna ake wāhi noho.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 1
Observe and identify parts of common animals.
Students can observe and identify how a skeleton gives an animal its body shape.
Level 2
Investigate and understand the general functions of the main parts of animals.
Students can explore how a skeleton supports an animal’s body and helps it to move.
Students can explore and discuss how animals use their physical features to communicate with people and each other.
English (Writing and Presenting): Collect an item from the natural environment, describe it orally using all the senses, and record observations and personal responses in writing.
Mathematics and Statistics (Number and Algebra): Develop a number sense through exploring numbers of wings, feet, segments, antennae.
Mathematics and Statistics (Geometry and Measurement): Identify symmetries in the natural world.
Mathematics and Statistics (Statistics): Collect objects from the natural environment, sort them into categories, count each category, and display and discuss the results.

Related Topics
Resources

How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!
Level
1-2
Type
Video
The Animal Kingdom
Everyday Science NZ
How many kinds of animals can you think of? Join Matthew as he investigates the unique features of different creatures around the planet and how they can be organised into a group called the animal kingdom!

If you study insects you’re called an entomologist. You can learn a lot about insects, like how their bodies work, how long they live and what they eat.
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
A Slice of Apple Fly
Bill Nye The Science Guy
If you study insects you’re called an entomologist. You can learn a lot about insects, like how their bodies work, how long they live and what they eat.

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
All About Shells Poster
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062811.pdf

This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
All About Shells Teacher Guide
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
This unit includes a series of activities which focus on the shells made from animals in the Phylum Mollusca (e.g. snails, mussels, limpets, chitons). Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371801.pdf

Get ready for “toad-al” fun with Bill Nye and the “Amphibians” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRCsjrjkpo
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Amphibians
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Get ready for “toad-al” fun with Bill Nye and the “Amphibians” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRCsjrjkpo

Bill’s in the swim with the “Animal Locomotion” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkjGKBd61Y0
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Animal Locomotion
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Bill’s in the swim with the “Animal Locomotion” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkjGKBd61Y0

Look for the following on the beach. Remember not to collect anything that is alive, just describe it.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Beach Scavenger Hunt
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Look for the following on the beach. Remember not to collect anything that is alive, just describe it.

Ready for an eggs-citing show? It’s the “Birds” episode. Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhcKZOO5OWk
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Birds
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Ready for an eggs-citing show? It’s the “Birds” episode. Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhcKZOO5OWk

Joe takes you on a journey to discover the wonderful world of bugs!! Find some critters in your backyard & get to know them a little better.
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Bug hunt
Whenua Iti Outdoors
Joe takes you on a journey to discover the wonderful world of bugs!! Find some critters in your backyard & get to know them a little better.

To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.
Level
1-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Canterbury's Spectacular Rocky Shore
Environment Canterbury
To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.

You can’t see them, but they’re everywhere even inside Bill Nye. This is not science fiction, it’s the science of cells.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRsRxzK0_D8
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Cells
Bill Nye The Science Guy
You can’t see them, but they’re everywhere even inside Bill Nye. This is not science fiction, it’s the science of cells.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRsRxzK0_D8

Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
Centipedes Poster
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research
Centipedes have been on earth for about 450 million years, even before dinosaurs. Centipedes have lots of eggs, are carnivores (they can kill or parlyse their prey with venom-laden claws) and are mostly nocturnal.

Bill Nye’s trying to tell you something – about communication.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyW8iuCkc-I
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Communication
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Bill Nye’s trying to tell you something – about communication.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyW8iuCkc-I

In “Saffron’s Skeleton”, osteologist George demonstrates to ten-year-old Bruno the processes he uses to clean and preserve the bones of Saffron, a recently deceased chicken. The whole experience, including George’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable approach to his work, provides Bruno with a sense of wonder and curiosity and a greater understanding of skeletons and evolutional relationships.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2011 Level 2: ‘Saffron’s Skeleton’
Ministry of Education NZ
In “Saffron’s Skeleton”, osteologist George demonstrates to ten-year-old Bruno the processes he uses to clean and preserve the bones of Saffron, a recently deceased chicken. The whole experience, including George’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable approach to his work, provides Bruno with a sense of wonder and curiosity and a greater understanding of skeletons and evolutional relationships.

In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2013 Level 2: ‘Look out for Monarchs’
Ministry of Education NZ
In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.

Animals use amazing senses to navigate the world. How do dolphins find things underwater? Why do dung beetles roll their dung at night? Scientists gather and use evidence about animals’ super senses to support their ideas.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2014 Level 2: ‘Super Senses’
Ministry of Education NZ
Animals use amazing senses to navigate the world. How do dolphins find things underwater? Why do dung beetles roll their dung at night? Scientists gather and use evidence about animals’ super senses to support their ideas.

The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2016 Level 2: ‘An Invasion of Yellow Crazies’
Ministry of Education NZ
The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.

The article explores familiar questions – why do we like some animals more than others, and does it matter? – but encourages the reader to look at it from a more critical, scientific perspective.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2019 Level 2: ‘Animal X Factor’
Ministry of Education NZ
The article explores familiar questions – why do we like some animals more than others, and does it matter? – but encourages the reader to look at it from a more critical, scientific perspective.

Squawkzilla is a giant parrot that lived in New Zealand 19 million years ago. Its bones were dug up in 2008, but it was not correctly identified for another ten years. This article tells the story of Squawkzilla’s discovery. It demonstrates how scientists work and how it is possible to make educated guesses about what life used to look like millions of years ago. It shows that scientific “discoveries” often take time and require careful observation and teamwork.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2020 Level 2: ‘Squawkzilla’
Ministry of Education NZ
Squawkzilla is a giant parrot that lived in New Zealand 19 million years ago. Its bones were dug up in 2008, but it was not correctly identified for another ten years. This article tells the story of Squawkzilla’s discovery. It demonstrates how scientists work and how it is possible to make educated guesses about what life used to look like millions of years ago. It shows that scientific “discoveries” often take time and require careful observation and teamwork.

My, what big teeth you have… Find out how the physical features of dinosaurs and other animals help them meet their basic survival needs. Use this new understanding to design a defence against a dinosaur attack!
Level
1
Type
Unit
Dinosaurs and more
Primary Connections
My, what big teeth you have… Find out how the physical features of dinosaurs and other animals help them meet their basic survival needs. Use this new understanding to design a defence against a dinosaur attack!