Do you have a brother or sister? In what ways do you look different?

Your brother or sister might be taller or shorter. You may have different hair color or eye color. Maybe one of you has freckles and the other one does not. These differences are called traits.

What are some features that all dogs share?

Dogs have four legs, fur and a tail. They also have two eyes, two ears and a nose that can smell really well.

What are some differences you have noticed in puppies or kittens?

Not all the babies look the same. They often have different-colored fur or different patterns on their fur. Sometimes they have different-colored eyes.

How would you describe the features of an alligator?

Alligators have a lot of sharp teeth, long tails that help them swim and thick scaly skin. They also have a long snout and two eyes on the top of their head.

How would you describe some traits or features of people?

People have two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs, hair on their heads, a nose and a mouth. People have differences such as eye color, hair color or height. Even the shape of your nose is a trait.

What are some traits you can think of?

Things like eye color, hair color and height are examples of traits we can easily see.

Why do bunnies from the same parents look different from each other?

The bunnies may have some traits from the mom and some from the dad. Most of the bunnies have traits from both parents.

What traits do all chameleons share?

Chameleons all have scales on their skin. They also have tails, two eyes, a sticky tongue and they walk on all fours.

What are some differences you might find in a family of chameleons?

Their scales might be different colors or they could have different patterns. Their tails also might be different lengths. Some chameleons are bigger than others.

What traits do all monkeys share?

Monkeys all have long tails that help them hang from trees. They all have two eyes, fur and opposable thumbs to help them grab things.

What are some differences you might find in a group of monkeys?

Their fur color and eye color might be different. The size of their teeth might be different, too. Monkeys of the same kind can have small differences in the shape of their noses and chins.

Introduction to Traits

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What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn

Animals of the same type are not exactly alike.
Animals have differences and similarities called traits.
These traits help them survive in their environment.

Discussion Questions
- Before Video
  Do you have a brother or sister? In what ways do you look different? ANSWER
  - Your brother or sister might be taller or shorter. You may have different hair color or eye color. Maybe one of you has freckles and the other one does not. These differences are called traits.
  What are some features that all dogs share?ANSWER
  - Dogs have four legs, fur and a tail. They also have two eyes, two ears and a nose that can smell really well.
  What are some differences you have noticed in puppies or kittens?ANSWER
  - Not all the babies look the same. They often have different-colored fur or different patterns on their fur. Sometimes they have different-colored eyes.
  How would you describe the features of an alligator?ANSWER
  - Alligators have a lot of sharp teeth, long tails that help them swim and thick scaly skin. They also have a long snout and two eyes on the top of their head.
  How would you describe some traits or features of people?ANSWER
  - People have two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs, hair on their heads, a nose and a mouth. People have differences such as eye color, hair color or height. Even the shape of your nose is a trait.
- After Video
  What are some traits you can think of?ANSWER
  - Things like eye color, hair color and height are examples of traits we can easily see.
  Why do bunnies from the same parents look different from each other?ANSWER
  - The bunnies may have some traits from the mom and some from the dad. Most of the bunnies have traits from both parents.
  What traits do all chameleons share?ANSWER
  - Chameleons all have scales on their skin. They also have tails, two eyes, a sticky tongue and they walk on all fours.
  What are some differences you might find in a family of chameleons?ANSWER
  - Their scales might be different colors or they could have different patterns. Their tails also might be different lengths. Some chameleons are bigger than others.
  What traits do all monkeys share?ANSWER
  - Monkeys all have long tails that help them hang from trees. They all have two eyes, fur and opposable thumbs to help them grab things.
  What are some differences you might find in a group of monkeys?ANSWER
  - Their fur color and eye color might be different. The size of their teeth might be different, too. Monkeys of the same kind can have small differences in the shape of their noses and chins.
Vocabulary
- Parents DEFINE
- Offspring DEFINE
- Traits DEFINE
- Survive DEFINE
- Similarities DEFINE
- Differences DEFINE
- Vary DEFINE
Reading Material
DIY Activity Guide
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide
Assessment
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