English Teaching Resources for Animal Classification
If you’re planning to teach primary school English language learners how to classify animals in English, I’ve got some resources for you! These teaching resources include differentiating vertebrates from invertebrates; grouping fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals; and telling the difference between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
Teaching in Spain as an auxiliar de conversación, I taught my students English through academic subjects such as natural and social sciences. So when it came time to teach about animal classification, I searched the web for songs and videos, and I compiled the materials below. I originally intended to use these ESL materials with second grade elementary school students, but I think they could be used and/or quickly modified for first and third grade students, too.
In this post, you’ll find English songs, videos, games, and my entire lesson plan powerpoint presentation to teach English animal classification vocabulary to primary school students. English teachers, please use whatever resources below work for you, your classroom, and your students.
Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates
Below are songs and videos I found helpful for teaching students to tell the difference between vertebrate and invertebrate animals in English.
Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals
Below are English songs and videos about the five classes of vertebrate animals: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Herbivores, Omnivores, and Carnivores
Below are English songs and videos to help students differentiate between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.
Complete English Lesson Plans
First Grade - Living Things: Plants and Animals
I made the above ESL lesson plan to teach first grade students about plants and animals. To download the Google Slides or Microsoft Powerpoint of this presentation, click here.
Second Grade - Living Things: Animal Classification
I made the above presentation to teach second grade students about classification of the animal kingdom. To download the Google Slides for the lesson plan presentation above, click here.
Third Grade - The Animal Kingdom
I created the above presentation to teach about the animal kingdom and how to classify animals (vertebrates vs. invertebrates, oviparous vs. viviparous, carnivores vs. herbivores vs. omnivores, and fish vs. amphibians vs. reptiles vs. birds vs. mammals). The presentation is intended for third graders in primary school. To download the Google Slides for the lesson plan presentation above, click here.
I hope these resources for teaching about English animal classification and simple taxonomies help you cut down on your lesson planning time!
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