Animal Planet
This animal classification ESL lesson combines science vocabulary with descriptions of features and habitats. Students group mammals, reptiles, birds and other animals, then ask where they live and what characteristics they have. They write mystery-animal clues and present a fact poster containing a group, habitat and key facts.
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Lesson format
2 × 45 minutes
Level
Pre-Intermediate
Age group
Ages 10–13
Main focus
Speaking first
What students will learn
Lesson flow
Students guess animals from clues like 'It has scales and lays eggs,' sing an Animal Classification song naming a mammal or reptile after each verse, and classify animals by feature in a Wordwall game. The second lesson sorts animals quickly by group, learns habitat vocabulary asking 'Where does it live?', writes three mystery-animal clues for classmates to guess, and creates an animal fact poster with name, group and three facts.
Target language
- • 'It's a...' / 'It has...' / 'It lives in...'
- • 'Where does it live?'
- • Animal classification vocabulary
- • Present simple for facts
Key vocabulary
- habitat
- predator
- prey
- mammal
- reptile
- amphibian
- endangered
- wildlife
- jungle
- savanna
Speaking questions students answer
- • Is a frog an amphibian?
- • Where does a whale live?
- • What group is a snake in?
- • Why is a bat a mammal?
- • What does a bird have?
Recommended teaching contexts
Why this lesson works
The lesson follows a clear progression: Classify animals in an Animal Guess Who? warm-up, match animals to groups and habitats, write mystery-animal clues and present a fact poster. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.