Backbones and no backbones
Pupil resources for this lesson. Use these sheets alongside the matching slideshow.
BUILD Science Autumn1 W3A Backbones Pupil
PUPIL WORKSHEET
Backbones and no backbones
Autumn 1 · Week 3 · Lesson A
Name: ____________________________ Date: __________________
Classify animals using evidence of an internal backbone, and explain why size, fur or legs are not reliable tests.
Use this sheet with the lesson. You may point, sign, speak, draw, write, dictate or direct an adult. Keep your first idea so you can show what changed.
1. My first idea
Choose an animal. Predict first; keep the idea so you can compare it with evidence.
Animal: ___.
I think it has / does not have a backbone / I am unsure.
My first reason: ___.
PUPIL TASK / Autumn 1 · Week 3 · Lesson A
2. Use the body evidence
Write, draw, point or dictate as agreed with your teacher.
Read or listen to each clue. Mark vertebrate (V), invertebrate (I), or ask for help.
| Animal | Body evidence | My group |
| Fish | Internal bones include a backbone. | |
| Frog | Internal bones include a backbone. | |
| Mouse | Internal bones include a backbone. | |
| Snail | A shell; no backbone. | |
| Crab | Hard outer case; no backbone. | |
| Earthworm | Muscles and fluid support; no backbone. |
PUPIL TASK / Autumn 1 · Week 3 · Lesson A
3. Which clues count?
Write, draw, point or dictate as agreed with your teacher.
Use the new clues, not size or the number of legs.
| Animal | Evidence | My group |
| Bat | Wings and an internal backbone. | |
| Snake | An internal backbone; no legs. | |
| Crab | An outer case, but no backbone. | |
| Jellyfish | No internal backbone. |
PUPIL TASK / Autumn 1 · Week 3 · Lesson A
4. My evidence explanation
Write, draw, point or dictate as agreed with your teacher.
Choose one animal. You can point to a label or ask an adult to write your words.
The ___ is a ___ because ___.
The clue that matters is ___.
I kept / changed my idea because ___.
Choose a response route
Agree one route with your teacher; you do not need every route.
Supported
Use a choice of two labelled groups with an adult reader; point to the body clue.
Standard
Classify the supplied animals and explain one choice using because.
Stretch
Use the rule on a bat/snake case and explain why size, fur or legs are unreliable.
Keep this record for Wednesday Week 3.
Source: Science_Teesside/Teaching_Packs/BUILD/lessons/W3A/BUILD_Science_Autumn1_W3A_Backbones_Pupil.docx
BUILD Science Autumn1 W3 Cards and Labels
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
Eight animal labels
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
Adult may cut the labels or pupils may point/direct. Use body evidence before classifying; do not collect or touch real animals.
| Card | Card |
| Fish | Bird |
| Frog | Lizard |
| Mouse | Snail |
| Crab | Earthworm |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
Animal classification headings
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
Place above two paper sorting areas. Match by presence or absence of an internal backbone.
| Card | Card |
| VERTEBRATE — has a backbone | INVERTEBRATE — no backbone |
| UNSURE — need body evidence |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
Monday animal evidence
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
These clues are a reference for the labels. Keep the clue available; no pupil has to infer hidden anatomy from appearance.
| Card | Card |
| Fish Internal bones include a backbone. | Bird Internal bones include a backbone. |
| Frog Internal bones include a backbone. | Lizard Internal bones include a backbone. |
| Mouse Internal bones include a backbone. | Snail Has a shell, but no backbone. |
| Crab Has a hard outer case, but no backbone. | Earthworm Muscles act against fluid inside. Skin rings are not an internal backbone. |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
New case labels
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
Use for the additional Monday sort and Wednesday body-evidence investigation.
| Card | Card |
| Bat | Snake |
| Jellyfish | Goldfish |
| Beetle |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
Wednesday case-clue cards
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
Cover each body clue first, make a prediction or choose unsure, then reveal the clue. These are original paper teaching cases.
| Card | Card |
| Goldfish Its internal bones include a backbone. | Bat It has wings and an internal backbone. |
| Beetle Its hard outer case supports the body. It has no backbone. | Earthworm Muscles act against fluid inside. The rings on its skin are not bones. |
| Snake It has no legs, but has an internal backbone. | Jellyfish It has no internal backbone. |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
PRINTABLE CARDS / WEEK 3
Mystery-card blanks
Cut along the table lines, or point to a card without cutting.
Adult can copy or scribe. Choose one animal; keep its name hidden while the body clues are checked.
| Card | Card |
| Hidden animal: __________________ | Body clue 1: __________________ |
| Body clue 2: __________________ | My improved clue: __________________ |
Print only the sets you need. Adult preparation is an alternative to pupil cutting. These are original teaching labels and simplified models.
Source: Science_Teesside/Teaching_Packs/BUILD/resources/BUILD_Science_Autumn1_W3_Cards_and_Labels.docx