The Tortoise and the Hare Science Curriculum Guide

The tortoise in the story is a REPTILE, while the hare is a MAMMAL. What other animals are in the story? Use the resources below to classify them (organize them into groups).

• Scientists classify, or group, animals based on what characteristics they have in common. The classification categories (from most general to most specific) are: Kingdom (such as Animals or Plants), Phylum (such as Chordates or Arthropods), Class (such as Mammals or Aves), Order (such as Marsupials), Family, Genus, Species. The scientific name of an animal includes its genus and species, and sometimes subspecies, and is in Latin. Explore the Animal Kingdom with these fun links, games and lesson plans:

           Here is a clearly presented and fun video from Brain Pop on Animal Classification

           Sheppard Software has many animal games on their site. Try the animal classification game, and the food web activity   ........... among others.


           Here is a chart of the taxonomy of specific animals


           Here is a chart with printable cards to cut out and laminate


           Here is a great lesson plan on classification for 3rd grade and up


         Here is an animal sort game for younger kids

PHYSICS

• The tortoise and the hare's race seems at first to depend upon speed, and we assume the hare will win. Let's take a look at the science of speed and motion: 

 

• Experiments- speed, Spool Racer project,    Balloon car experiment,     Measuring boat speed,     Measuring wind speed

 

•  Isaac Newton  was a 17th century scientist who discovered the three Laws of Motion, helping us to understand more about the universe.

 

• Explore a link here with some games for discovering more about Newton's Laws of Motion​

 

• Here are three videos of demonstrations to show how these laws work: First Law; Second Law; Third Law.

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