Eight riddles on this 4-page 3rd grade science sheet each give clues about an animal group. Students read the clues, write the group from a word bank, and name one animal that fits. The groups are mammals (twice), birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders. Page 3 asks students to write a three-clue riddle of their own and trade it with a classmate. The answers page gives sample animals for every riddle and a note on checking the student riddles.
“Match the traits of an animal to its group.”
Riddles 1 to 8 each ask for a group chosen from the word bank.
“Write clues that describe an animal group accurately.”
Page 3 asks for three trait clues without giving away the name.
A word bank of seven groups, then four boxes. The clues mention fur and milk, feathers and hard-shelled eggs, gills and fins, and dry scaly skin with leathery eggs.
Smooth moist skin and gills, six legs and three body parts, eight legs and two body parts, and a second mammal with hair and live babies.
Three clue lines, a picture of a student with a magnifying glass, and a box for the classmate's name, the group and an animal that fits.
The group and five sample animals for each riddle, such as tarantula for the spider, and what to check in a student riddle.
One clue at a time
Read a riddle aloud one clue at a time. Students write the group after each clue, which shows how many clues they need before they are sure.
Swap and solve
Page 3 works best with partners. Have each student check that all three clues are true of the whole group before they trade papers.
Early finishers
Give the writing page alone to students who finish another task early. They can pick any group from the word bank on page 1.
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