Curated OER
The Evolution of Canis pedatus
Students, in groups, examine the given characteristics of a previously unknown dog-like creature, Canis pedatus. They discuss whether or not this species would show adaptations and survive if it were relocated to a new environment.
Curated OER
Prairie Dog Town
Fourth graders use their knowledge of prairie dog communities to design their own model prairie dog towns. Teachers are provided with background information on prairie dogs and are encouraged to show examples to stimulate creativity. ...
Curated OER
Biology: Natural Selection
Students explore evolutionary processes and theories using the spotted fish applet. They observe what happens to fish in a closed environment with both food and predators. Students run the model several times and answer questions about...
Curated OER
Science: All About Fish
Fifth graders describe the physical and behavioral characteristics of fish. In small groups, they complete fish fact sheets by filling in the missing key words. They play a "What Am I?" game by giving clues about various fish for...
Curated OER
People Interacting with the Environment
Students explore an arctic, temperate, and tropical environment and then decide what people need in each environment to help them live comfortably and what their lives would be like.
Curated OER
Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms
Eighth graders discover how animals adapt to their surroundings. They identify physical traits and behaviors that are important to survival. They examine the results of an organism's failure to adapt.
Curated OER
This Place is Going to the Dogs
Students study different breeds of dogs. They watch a video, "Extraordinary Dogs", about special dogs and how they are categorized according to their adaptations. Then they create a digital video that demonstrates the qualities of dogs...
Curated OER
Build a Bug
Students design an ideally adapted macroinvertebrate to live in a water habitat. They illustrate their animal, name it and specify the adaptations it has that enable it to survive.
Curated OER
Search for the Humpback Whale
Students work in teams to research and explore whale adaptations, behavior, migration, habitat, communication, and interactions with humans and present their findings.
Curated OER
You Are Where You Live
Third graders observe insects in a number of habitats. They recognize which insect characteristics are adaptations to their habitats.
Curated OER
Adaptable Animals
Students examine the types of adaptations that animals use to survive. They research the animals and report their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Aquatic Insects: Water Quality Index & Diversity Index
Students search stream beds to study the life cycle and adaptations of stream insects. They explore creeks and streams to see the diversity index of creeks or streams and to find the water qualit index.
Curated OER
Blocks And Screws (or "screwy Contrivances")
Middle schoolers, given a block of wood and a screw or nail, are asked to put that screw or nail into a block. They examine how many contrivances and other imperfections found in living things are best explained by the process of evolution.
Curated OER
Coloration
Students conduct an experiment picking out colored vs. camoflauged toothpicks out of the grass. They list and describe different types of coloration and explain how coloration assists the great horned owl and the striped skunk survive.
Curated OER
Alligator
Students create a model of an alligator out of clay using both artwork and research to guide their finished work.
Curated OER
Something Fishy
Students identify and discuss the adaptive characteristics and behaviors of fish. They view slides of fish, and design and create a model of a fish of the future, listing the ways their fish adapt to survive.
Curated OER
Making Models
Students make a model of their thumbs to reinforce understanding of an adaptation. This lesson is one part of a multi-segmented unit on animals and survival.
Curated OER
Keeping Warm
Learners create a collage investigating different strategies animals use for keeping warm. This lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on animal survival.
Curated OER
Got the Whole World in My Hands
Students review factors that threaten survival of different species. this lesson is part of a multi-segmented unit on animal survival.
Curated OER
Animals Abound Pre/Post Assessment
Students prepare for or evaluate their experiences in learning about animal persistence. This is part of a multi-segmented unit on animal living, adaptation, and survival.
Curated OER
Diversity of Life
Students explore the diversity of life forms and the role that interdependency plays in our world through a mult-segmented unit. This segment introduces the unit.
Curated OER
Goals of the Diversity of Life Unit
Students are introduced to the unit on the importance of diversity of life and the role that interdependence plays in our worlds. this is part of a multi-lesson unit on the diversity of life.
Curated OER
What is Diversity of Life?
Students are introduced to the variety of organisms in our world. this activity is a part of a multi-segmented unit on specie diversity. this segment explores distribution of life on land and sea.
Curated OER
Kingdom Animalia
Students are introduced to the basic characteristics of the animal kingdom. this activity is part of a multi-segmented unit on the diversity of life. In this segment, students explore the the members of a few phyla of the animal kingdom.