Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sharks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a model or drawing of a shark species showing its specific adaptations. In small groups, they research the shark species on the internet looking for adaptations of teeth, body shape, coloration and fins. There...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snakes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a page in a classroom field guide to snakes. They each choose a different snake species to study in depth using the internet and books. The page contains information on habitat and adaptations of the snake as well as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Penguins Marching in Your Classroom

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine how penguins adapt to their Antarctic environment. Once they locate Antarctica on a map, they describe its characteristics and differences from other continents. After describing how penguins differ from more...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Camouflage 1

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders work in groups and they are asked to line up on either side of the board. They are explained that on the teachers instruction, one student at a time runs to the marked area and brings back the first worm they see. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adaptation

For Teachers K - 5th
Students begin the instructional activity by observing animals in their natural habitat. Using the internet, they research the types of adaptations they have gone through to be able to live comfortably in their environment. They observe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird Beak Adaptation Lab

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate bird beaks to determine which physical adaptations are necessary based on the types of food the birds eat. They participate in a lab by visiting multiple stations to determine which beaks are most efficient,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird airport control

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify the various species of birds found in the wetlands. Students observe and record the key skills involved in scientific inquiry. Students handle and interpret data gathered on a field trip which reveals patterns and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design-A-Weed

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a "super weed" that prospers in teh harsh conditions on plant Weediv. They comprehend how weed adaptations give the plants an advantage over native plants. Students define the term adaptation. They give three examples...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Feeding Frenzy

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine, through experimentation and simulation, how insect mouthparts are adapted for particular food sources, discuss how various animals have adapted to survive, play Feeding Frenzy game, and complete activity sheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting Diversity

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students organize different species of plans and animals according to various characteristics. Students then determine what characteristics enable them to survive in their habitat. Game ideas and activities are included.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Copycat

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders work in groups with information sheets about Monarch and Viceroy Butterflies.They create a Venn diagram to illustrate the differences and similarities between these two butterfly types. Students discuss the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creature Features

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate animals and how they adapt to their environment. They design a multimedia presentation that includes information about an animal of their choice. They include a title card, habitats, adaptations, and a predator/ prey...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers are able to describe protective adaptations of animals. They are able to categorize the animals based on their protective adaptations. Students discuss adaptations of animals. They are explained that an adaptation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nest Watch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students describe the nests of three common birds. They build a specific type of bird nest, using the same materials a bird would use. Students build a nest platform to attract a nesting pair of osprey. They observe, record, and submit...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adaptations

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students will participate in classroom discussions and visit a website to learn more about animals and how well (or poorly) they've adapted to satisfying their needs in their natural habitats. This will help move them toward the goal, in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Fishy Twist on Adaptations

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars examine the relationship between specific fish adaptations and their function for survival. They design a fish based on certain adaptations and then decide to which habitat their fish would be best suited. Individual...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Group Research Project on Frog Habitats

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners identify and research a frog habitat in small groups and compile a report to present to the class on the physical characteristics of their frog's environment. Students create a map illustrating areas in the world where their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Tail to Tell

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars observe populations of Lumbriculus to discover some of the adaptations that allow them to live successfully along the shores of ponds and marshes. They also design and perform experiments to test proposed hypotheses for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adaptation and Mimicry - Biology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students compare and contrast adaptations involving camouflage, warning coloration, and mimicry. They explain the relationship between adaptation and ability for survival and reproduction. Students define Batesian and Mullerian mimicry...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mutations--Preexisting or Acquired?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students explore the reasoning and experimental approaches to mutations. They expose a culture of E. coli to virulent bacteriophage and observe whether mutations of the cells existed previously or if the bacteria mutated as a response...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snowy Owl Adaptations

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners explore the adaptations that are made by the snowy owl. They discuss why these adaptations are necessary and how they protect the owl. Students create a snowy owl puppet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Common Adaptation Patterns

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students become familiar with common categories of animals and discover adaptation patterns and structures in animals that help them survive in different environments. Students identify major structures of common animals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adaption to Environment

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of adaptation as a means of surviving in varied environments. They discuss human adaptations and then view slideshows and video that present animal adaptations in the following environments: cold regions,...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Amazing Adaptations - Probing Pinnipeds

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collect data about the habitats of pinniped adaptations using digital probes. They determine how pinnipeds make adaptations to their natural environment by completing an experiment to determine how human and pinniped...