Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores

Do your students know the differences between herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores? In case you need a refresher or if you are new to teaching this concept:

• Herbivores: animals that only eat plants
• Carnivores: animals that only eat meat
• Omnivores: animals that eat both plants and meat

Teach Starter has created a sorting activity for your students to practice categorizing animals according to their diet. This resource includes high-quality photographs of animals on each of the 24 sorting cards.

To play, place the sorting mats on the table. Students sort different animals into categories of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores based on what the animal eats.

Through this activity, students will show they can determine if an animal is an herbivore, omnivore, or carnivore based on its diet.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons. 

In addition to individual student work time, use this sorting activity to enhance learning through guided science groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who need a bit of support, invite them to reference previous lessons, anchor charts, or posters. Additionally, this activity can be completed in a small group or in a 1-on-1 environment.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to create a list of additional herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.

🛴 Scoot Activity

Place the cards around the room and have each student bring a piece of paper with them. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answer by writing the animal name and if it is an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

This resource was created by Kiri Sowers, a teacher in Illinois and Teach Starter Collaborator.