This set of 48 cards shows members of 11 phyla of the animal kingdom. There are representatives of notable lineages from the largest phyla: Cnidaria, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, Echinodermata, and Chordata. The other phyla illustrated are Porifera, Ctenophora, Rotifera, Platyhelminthes, and Nematoda. For each photo card, there is a text card that lists the phylum, lineages, actual size, habitat, feeding mode and diet, and other information of interest. Children can observe key traits that we use to classify these animals. They can sort the cards by phylum, place them on a phylogenetic diagram, or use them as research starters in their investigations of an animal of interest. The teacher background information includes an outline of the cards by phylum, a phylogeny of animals, suggestions for the cards’ use (but teachers will likely think of many more ways to use them), and a list of book and Internet resources for further learning.

Big Picture Science Zoology Cards, Set 1. Major Phyla of the Animal Kingdom.48 photo cards and 48 text cards. Each is 4.25 X 5.5 inches (quarter page size). $29.95

For lessons that use this learning material and information for integrating it into biology study, see Life Science Lessons for the Montessori Elementary Classroom by Cynthia Brunold-Conesa. https://georgeconesa.wixsite.com/lifesciencemont and lunalearningpress@gmail.com