Science·Ocean Life·conceptual
Whales & Dolphins Are Mammals
Know that whales and dolphins are mammals, not fish — they breathe air, are warm-blooded, and feed their babies milk — even though they live in the ocean
Suggested ages 5–7
Learning journey
Your child is discovering ocean life — learning about the amazing variety of sea creatures, how they depend on each other for food, and exploring special ocean habitats like rock pools and coral reefs.
Evidence of understanding
- State that whales and dolphins are mammals, not fish
- Give at least two reasons why: they breathe air and feed babies milk
- Explain that living in water does not make an animal a fish
Assessment prompt
If Whales & Dolphins Are Mammals saw a dolphin jumping out of the water, could they explain that dolphins are mammals like us — they breathe air and feed their babies milk — not fish?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.