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Science (EVS K-5) · Class 3

Active learning ideas

How Animals Move

Ever watched a monkey swing from tree to tree or a fish dart through the water? Let's become animal detectives and uncover the secrets of how different animals move around!

CBSE Learning OutcomesNCERT EVS Class 3: Sub-theme - Animals
15–30 minPairs → Whole Class3 activities

Activity 01

Stations Rotation20 min · Whole Class

Animal Movement Charades

Students pick a chit with an animal's name and act out how it moves without making any sound. The rest of the class guesses the animal and the type of movement, like hopping, slithering, or flying.

Explain how a bird's wings help it to fly.

Facilitation TipPrepare chits with pictures for students who may struggle with reading.

What to look forShow pictures of different animals and ask students to name or write down their primary mode of movement.

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Activity 02

Stations Rotation30 min · Small Groups

Nature Walk: Spot the Mover

Take the class on a short walk around the school grounds to observe any animals they can find, such as birds, insects, squirrels, or lizards. Students can draw the animals they see and describe or draw how they move in their notebooks.

Compare the movement of a snake with that of a frog.

Facilitation TipRemind students to observe quietly from a distance so they do not scare the animals away.

What to look forPlay a game of 'Simon Says' using animal movements, for example, 'Simon says hop like a frog' or 'Simon says fly like a bird'.

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Activity 03

Stations Rotation15 min · Individual

Movement Match-Up

Create a worksheet with two columns: one with pictures of animals (e.g., fish, frog, sparrow, snake) and the other with movement words (swim, hop, fly, slither). Students draw lines to match the animal to its correct movement.

Identify an animal that can swim and an animal that can crawl.

Facilitation TipAfter the activity, discuss why each animal moves in its specific way, pointing to its body parts.

What to look forProvide a simple worksheet with sentences to complete, such as: 'A fish uses its ____ to swim.' or 'A bird ____ in the sky.'

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Templates

Templates that pair with these Science (EVS K-5) activities

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A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with what students already know by asking them to name some animals and show how they move. Use lots of pictures and short videos to make the concepts clear. Encourage physical participation through games like charades to help students remember the different types of movements.

After these activities, your students will be able to name different ways animals move and point out the body parts, like wings or fins, that help them do it.


Watch Out for These Misconceptions

  • All birds can fly.

    While most birds fly, some birds like ostriches and penguins cannot. Their bodies are built differently; ostriches are excellent runners, and penguins are expert swimmers.

  • Snakes move very fast because they are slippery.

    Snakes move by using their strong muscles and the scales on their belly to grip the ground. They push their body forward in a wave-like motion called slithering.

  • Fish use their fins to walk on the bottom of the ocean.

    Fish use their fins and tail to push through the water, which is called swimming. They use fins for steering and balance, not for walking.


Methods used in this brief