What are Mammals?

Mammals

• are vertebrates (have a backbone)
• are warm-blooded animals
• have hair or fur
• breathe through lungs
• give birth to live babies
• care for their young
• produce milk for/nurse their babies
• most live on land (terrestrial)
• some live in water (aquatic)

• Have the students brainstorm any characteristics of mammals that they already know. (See list above.)

• Share the above list of mammal characteristics. (Older students can record this list in their science notebooks.)   

 

• Have students brainstorm a list of animals that fit these characteristics. (dogs, cats, chipmunks, lions, bears, giraffes, whales, dolphins, etc.)

• Begin a class chart with the students' list of mammals. (Add to the chart daily.) Older students can record in their science notebooks. 

• Read a book to students about mammals or have older students read books individually or with a partner.

               Suggested Books


              ~ Is a Camel a Mammal? from the Cat in the Hat Learning Library  (PreK-3)

              ~Do You Know About Mammals? by Buffy Silverman, Lerner Pub. Co. (Elem.)

                   (Read a review of this book by Books4Learning here.) 

                

                    ~ DK Eyewitness MAMMAL

                                                

• After reading, have students share any new facts that they learned about mammals. 

• Finish by having the kids create a fun Arts and Crafts Activity

            ~ Give older children a selection of arts and crafts materials and have
                them use their knowledge of mammals and their imaginations to create
                a mammal (real or imaginary).

           ~ Younger students can create this great paper towel giraffe created by
              TPCrafts.com. 

               Follow instructions here.

           ~ If you prefer, students could create this great toilet paper lion created by  
              TPCrafts.com. 

               Follow instructions here.

    

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