If you are planning or are in the middle of an animal science homeschool curriculum you are going to get a lot of great questions. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.
A fun way to answer them is by adding in some simple hands-on ideas.
My favorite part of any study is including lots of fun hands-on ideas that help a child easily understand a concept.
With that in mind, I have some of the best activities to answer animal science questions.
The first question we are going to answer that goes along with our experiment today is what are gills.
Just like we do, fish need to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide to survive.
But they do not have lungs, they have gills.
Gills are branching organs that are located on both sides of the fish’s head that have a lot of small blood vessels called capillaries.
What Are Gills
Gills work as pumps to move the water while they absorb oxygen and move out carbon dioxide.
The part that you can see on the exterior of the fish is not the gills, rather they are a “gill cover” called opercula.
Watch How Do Fish Breathe Underwater on YouTube for a great video explanation of this process.
What Other Animals Use Gills To Breathe
Mostly fish crabs and mollusks also use their gills to breathe. Larvae like tadpoles and dragonfly larvae use gills in the water at first where they start.
There are many fantastic and inexpensive experiments out there that let your child get deeper involved in the learning process rather than just being read to.
They can help answer questions kids might not even have asked yet or ones you may not be quite sure how to answer yourself.
Animal Science Questions Asked And Answered
For example, look at these questions below.
- Why do birds fly in a V?
- How do penguins stay dry?
- Why do Cat’s Eyes Glow?
- How do sharks float?
- What is the difference between warm-blooded vs. cold-blooded?
- How does a duck stay dry in the water?
- Why Don’t Frogs Freeze?
- Why are birds’ beaks shaped differently?
- Finally, how do fish breathe underwater. We will answer this one further down below with a hands-on experiment.
These are all fantastic ways to teach or learn as a supplement to your box curriculum or used as your very own DIY animal science homeschool curriculum.
Next, look at some of my very favorite books and resources for animal science that help children answer many questions.
Resources and Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum
Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Study mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds with this x-ray set.
25 animal-plant figurines, 31 guide cards, 1 storage box. It is an ideal educational toy for children over 3 years old and is the best little helper for home/school teaching. An ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, sock filler, Easter basket or even home/schooling.
Created for Fun Learning Activities - In Matesy life cycle set, it perfect to show life cycle of each species based on little figures and guide cards. Vivid figures and guide cards gives simple animal facts and discussion starters to learn while playing. It Help students visually explore the life cycle of Butterfly, Frog, Chicken, Mantis, Bee, Plants.
A pack with 14 pcs. Each Size: 30x42cm=11.6x16.5inches. Made of 100percent high-grade hard poster paper, with strong elasticity, clear texture, high definition printing, no cracking of the base, compact and thick, clean and smooth. prints, durable, color resistant, light weight.
Watching Wild Kratts is one aspect ofincorporating technology into your homeschool that I can get behind! The videos are highly entertaining and educational, covering a wide variety of animal science topics. I find myself enjoying them as much as kids do.
Discover the Anatomy of the Following Animals :
- First
7 Pages (Anatomy of Dog Skeleton, Horse Skeleton Anatomy, Chicken
Anatomy, Llama Skeleton Anatomy, Internal Organs of Cat, Fish Anatomy
& Anatomy of Dog). - Skeletal System of Dog.
- Digestive System of Dog.
- Respiratory System of Dog.
- Nervous System of Dog.
- Lymphatic System of Dog.
- Reproductive System of Dog.
- Heart and Blood Vessels of Dog.
- Bones of The Dog.
- Construction of Dog Tooth Dental Formula.
- Upper Jaw of The Dog.
- Dog Ear Anatomy.
- Lungs of The Dog.
- Heart of The Dog.
- Anatomy of a Dog Paw.
- Dog Nail Trimming.
DK's elegant new introduction to wild animals is packed with dramatic photography that celebrates their beauty. Crystal-clear diagrams then explain how animals work and describe how they are adapted to do different things and to survive in different environments. The unique nose-to-tail approach, with chapters on different body parts, allows you to focus in on the beauty of the antenna of a moth, the flight feathers of a parrot, or the feeding tentacles of a jellyfish. The Science of Animals also explores how we have depicted animals in art throughout the ages, from zoological drawings that recorded new discoveries to great
paintings inspired by a deep connection to the natural world. With fascinating stories, such as how animals communicate, defend their territories, and attract mates, The Science of Animals offers an engaging introduction to the extraordinary diversity of the animal kingdom.
Explore the world of biology with the Complete Introduction to biology kit. Your student will study animals, anatomy, plants, diets, ecosystems, and more! They will grow plants with the use of hydroponics and even dissect an owl pellet.
Moreover, look at some more activities for learning about animals.
More Ideas for Learning About Animals
- 18 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books and Fun Resources
- Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
- Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play
- How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock
- Learn About Daniel Boone Hunting With a Fun Deer Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
- Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime
- How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
- Kindergarten Crafts for Winter An Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting
- Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop
- Free Horse Unit Study for Your Horse Loving Kids
- Fun Homeschool Unit Study Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
- Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft
- Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
- Easy Hands-on Science: Animal Camouflage Activity Hunt
- How Animals Cope With the Cold (Easy Nature Study)
Finally, how do fish and other animals with gills breath underwater.
How Do Fish and Other Animals with Gills Breathe Underwater Activity
This experiment helps children understand the process of how fish, crabs, and mollusks breathe with gills rather than with lungs underwater.
Note: The coffee represents the oxygen in the water, the filter the gills, and the water is fresh or salt water the fish takes in.
You will need:
- 2 glasses or bowls
- Water
- Ground Coffee or Dirt
- Coffee filter
- Rubber band
First, begin by explaining that the water is ocean water, the coffee is the oxygen in the water, and the filter is the fish’s gills.
Draw gills in the center of your coffee filter to help with the visual.
Place a cup or so of water into a container.
Stir in 1-2 Tablespoons of coffee/dirt allowing the color to absorb somewhat.
Place the coffee filter on top of the second clear container and secure it with a rubber band.
Press it down a bit in the middle so it has a dip in the center to hold the water as it is poured through.
Carefully pour coffee and water through the filter.
Watch as the filter “gills” traps the coffee “oxygen” as the water passes through them but the grounds ”carbon dioxide” is filtered out.
Show your child how the filter/gills allowed what was needed through and the rest was filtered out (grounds/carbon dioxide).
It is easy to see in this demonstration because now the water has turned brown.
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