Vertebrate Project

Choose one of the following activities to turn in at the conclusion of the unit study of vertebrates.

1. Watch and record a 60 minute program on a vertebrate group. Write a summary of the program, create a worksheet to be answered from the video, and supply a key for the worksheet answers.
2. Create a portfolio of pictures and descriptions of the most dangerous sharks in the world. Write a report on sharks to include with your portfolio and tell what can be done to avoid shark attack and what should be done if an attack occurs.
3. Research the migration pattern of one of the following -- gray whale, caribou, Arctic wolf, or a species of bats. Include a map of the animal's migration route, season when the migration occurs, and a description of the animal's feeding and mating habits.
4. Construct, on poster board, a phylogenetic tree for a vertebrate group (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, or mammal). Include pictures of the organisms on your tree and write a short paper describe the evolution of this group.
5. Construct a scrapbook of 20 pictures of one mammal order. Pictures may not be Xeroxed or computer generated! Include the name and a brief description with each picture.
6. Make a three-dimensional collage of one group of marine vertebrates. The shape of the collage must illustrate something from the marine environment or a marine organism. Include a brief description of the marine environment and organisms you chose for your collage.
7. Make a photographic album of pictures of birds. (Pictures will not be returned!) Include the common and scientific name & a brief description of each bird.
8. Read the book, Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson and write a book report.
9. Build a model of the digestive tract of  an herbivore such as a cow. Be sure to include the dentition and an explanation of how this animal's digestive tract is adapted to its diet.
10. Construct a display of the hearts of these 3 vertebrate groups --- fish, amphibian, bird or mammal. Use modeling clay to make cross-sections of the hearts showing chambers and valves. Identify all parts of the hearts on your display.