What Is a Mammal?

K-Gr 2—In this live-action introduction to the common characteristics of mammals, viewers are quickly drawn in by footage of animals such as cats, dogs, and horses before being shown more exotic creatures such as bison, giraffes, and kangaroos. Beginning with humans, various groups of mammals are explored with a focus on basic characteristics (backbone, fur/hair, warm-blooded, live birth, etc.). After examining the different places mammals can live (land, air, water), an overview of the major groupings of the more than 6,000 types of mammals found on Earth is provided. A video review segment and a short quiz conclude the program. Fill-in-the-blank questions are read aloud and displayed onscreen. The teacher's guide includes lesson plans, programming suggestions, the script, assessment materials, answer keys, and activity sheets. Aligned to state and national science standards, this production provides an excellent, well-supported introduction to mammals.—Cathie Bashaw Morton, Millbrook Central School District, NY