When you think of animals, you likely think of vertebrates. From jawless fish to adaptable humans, we vertebrates occupy most of the ecological niches on the planet. Sign up for this course and find out what makes vertebrates resilient in the fight for survival on Earth.
Total Classes: 13
Duration: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade. Interested high school students are also welcomed to join us.
Suggested credit: 1 full semester Life Science
Instructor: MacBeth Derham
Instructor Email: macbethderham@gmail.com
Course Description: A tour of the vertebrate world, from tunicates to primates, and their anatomical features.
Course Outline:
- Class 1: Introduction to the chordates; sea squirts to lampreys
- Class 2: The fossil record
- Class 3: Sharks and their features!
- Class 4: Varieties of cartilaginous fish!
- Class 5: Bony fish
- Class 6: Amphibians
- Class 7: Dinosaurs and other extinct reptiles
- Class 8: Reptiles
- Class 9: Birds in brief
- Class 10: Mammals part 1
- Class 11: Mammals part 2
- Class 12: Mammals part 3
- Class 13: Student presentations (watch the class, and present yours to your parent)
Course Materials: Field Guides / local pamphlets. For example:
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Peterson's First Guide to Fish, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395911796/catholictreas-20
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Peterson's First Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395971950/catholictreas-20
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Peterson's First Guide to Birds, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395906660/catholictreas-20
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Peterson's First Guide to Mammals, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395911818/catholictreas-20
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NB: The above are not required. Any field guides will do in a pinch, including local guides and pamphlets
Homework: Students will use field guides to seek out and identify local species. There are automated quizzes for immediate feedback. Expect to spend one to two hours outside of class on homework. A brief project will be presented by each student on the last day.
If you have any questions please contact us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.
- Teacher: MacBeth Derham