Lesson 3
External features of invertebrates
Learning intention
We are learning about the external features of invertebrates.
Success criteria
We can recognise and record the features of spiders and insects.
Activity 1 - What is an invertebrate?
Invertebrates are animals that don't have a back bone.
Many invertebrates have a skeleton on the outside called an exoskeleton.
Invertebrates with exoskeletons have legs to help them move.
Other invertebrates, like worms and slugs, have an hydrostatic skeleton and use their muscles and other features to move.
Tasks
- How many different types of invertebrates can you name?
Ants climbing out of their nest.
Activity 2 - How can we safely collect invertebrates?
Tasks
- View the Collecting invertebrates video.
- Ask an adult for permission to collect invertebrates from your place.
- How does the code for caring help to protect the animal and keep you safe?
- Tip – if you can't go outside check around your windows and window sills for small invertebrates to observe. Don't touch spiders, bees or wasps.
Equipment needed
- A large tray, old white sheet or towel, trowel or small shovel, paintbrush, sticks, plastic jar or icecream container.
Collecting invertebrates | Field of Mars EEC (2:01min) | YouTube
Activity 3 - How can you identify the invertebrates you have found?
Tasks
- Download and use the invertebrate identification chart to identify the invertebrates you have found.
- Find out more information about your invertebrates by exploring our invertebrate fact sheets.
A spider can be identified by looking at its different features.
Activity 4 - What are the features of a ground living invertebrate?
Many invertebrates make their homes under fallen leaves or in the soil.
Tasks
- View the beetle and spider scientific drawings as an example of how to draw an invertebrate.
- Draw one invertebrate you found on the ground.
- Label the invertebrate's external features.
Scientific drawing of a beetle.
Scientific drawing of a spider
Activity 5 - What are the features of a tree living invertebrate?
Some invertebrates live in trees, making their homes on the leaves and branches. Draw one invertebrate you found in a tree.
Tasks
- Label the invertebrate's external features.
- Compare the features of your two drawn invertebrates. How are they similar or different?
Scientific drawing of a fly.
Activity 6 - How can we make an invertebrate model?
Tasks
- View the Making a spider out of paper video.
- Make a model of an invertebrate using sticks, leaves, paper, cardboard or lego.
- Include all of its external features.
- Take a photo and send it to two friends and your teacher.
Equipment needed
- Sticks, leaves, paper, cardboard, modelling clay or small blocks such as Lego.
Making a spider out of paper | Field of Mars EEC (0:42min) | YouTube
Here we are in the garden and we're going to look for some living things that are found in the soil and the leaf litter. I've got some equipment so that we can safely search for them.
To search for living things in the soil or leaf litter you will need a tray or an old sheet or towel with a white background. You will also need something to dig in the soil with, like a trowel or a shovel.
You will use a paintbrush or a stick to search with so that you are not using your hands. Lastly, you will need a container to collect what you find. This might be a jar or another type of container you have at your place.
To start searching place one to two scoops of soil onto a tray or sheet. Then use a stick or a paintbrush to move the soil or leaf litter around to see if you can find anything moving.
Once you have found something use a container and a paintbrush or a stick to carefully collect the living thing.
When we collect living things we use a code for caring. That means we can't touch them so it can't hurt us and we can't hurt them.
Now we're going to look at the leaves in trees and shrubs to see what lives here. We're going to use a sheet to see this. I'm going to take hold of the branch and give it a good shake.
Then you can observe what you have found.
End of transcript.