How to Make a Scientific Chart on Animal Groups

If you need to learn the six major animal groups, try making a scientific chart. Research the characteristics common to each group and put the data on a chart with a picture of an animal from the group. Not only does a scientific chart of the animal groups help you learn the material, but it also provides a study guide to help you prepare for your next science test.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Use PowerPoint or any graphics presentation software that you access from your desktop. Click on Task Pane that you find under View on the file menu. Select "Blank Document". The "New Document" task pane appears to the right. Select "Blank Document".

2. Click within the title placeholder. Add the title, "Animal Groups." Click outside of the placeholder and then click on its borders. Drag the title to the center top of the document. Click the border of the subtitle placeholder and press "Delete."

3. Select the body of the document. Scroll to Background. When the Background window appears, click the down arrow to select a background fill color. Then press "Apply to All".

4. Return to the blank document. Drag a rectangle from the tool bar to the upper left corner of the document beneath the title. Resize it so that its proportions are about 2 inches by 4 inches. Highlight the rectangle and press "Control-D" five times to duplicate the shape, positioning the rectangles in two columns and three rows.

5. Devote one rectangle to each of the following animal groups: amphibians, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. Insert at least five bulleted sentences in each rectangle providing information on the animal groups.

6. Insert a picture of an animal representing the group within each rectangle. Click on the clip art icon on the drawing tool bar. When the "Insert Clip Art" window appears, type the animal group in the "Search In" field. Choose from the pictures appearing in the results box.

7. Click on a picture. Press "Control-C." Move the cursor to the appropriate rectangle and press "Control-V." Finish by resizing the picture to fit within the rectangle next to the bulleted sentences.

Tips & Warnings

• The first bullet about the animal groups should identify whether the animal group is cold or warm blooded.
• The remaining sentences about the groups should address where the animal group lives, what kind of skin the animals have, how they breathe, if they are vertebrates and if they have hair, fur or feathers.