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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Adapting Under Pressure

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about James Cameron's Challenger Deep dive and about the marine animals that live in different layers of the ocean. They then study the characteristics of the hadalpelagic zone at the bottom of the ocean, and imagine and...
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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Adaptations: Changes Through Time

For Students 6th - 8th
People, plants, and animals make minor adaptations all of the time. This lesson will idenitfy why adaptations are critical for survival by diving into pterosaurs.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Episd: Evolution of Life

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Meet Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution and natural selection. Understand why adaptations are important.
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Article
BBC

Bbc Newsround: How Cuttlefish Avoid Being Eaten by Sharks

For Students 1st - 4th
Brief read on an adaptation technique cuttlefish use to avoid being eaten by sharks.
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Biology: Evolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Through informational text, online lab activities, virtual simulations, and video clips, students study the concepts of biological evolution.
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Marine Vertebrates

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about vertebrates found in the ocean, their individual methods of adaptations, identifying characteristics and contributions to the marine ecosystem.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Mice Rule! (Or Not)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore the relationships between genetics, biodiversity, and evolution through a simple activity involving hypothetical wild mouse populations. First, students toss coins to determine what traits a set of mouse parents...
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Article
Read Works

Read Works: Passages: "Who Wants a Spiny Snack?"

For Students 2nd - 3rd
[Free Registration/Login Required] The passage "Who Wants a Spiny Snack?" focuses on the Pufferfish and how it has adapted to protect itself from predators in the ocean. A comprehension question set with answer key is provided. A Step...
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Primary
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Science Education Center: Natural Selection: Common Misconceptions

For Students 3rd - 8th
This video explores the misconceptions that students hold about natural selection. Go inside your student's heads to see what they are thinking during a lesson on evolution. Follow these suggestions for addressing these common...
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Handout
BBC

Bbc Nature: Wildlife: Shallow Seas

For Students 9th - 10th
Investigate the fascinating world of the shallow seas and discover what lives and grows there through pictures, news, and external links.
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Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Reptile Adaptations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson plan site, students examine the changing traits that have enabled reptiles to live in their environments. Interesting information and activities about reptiles are found on this site.
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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Looking at Bird Beaks

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Use this activity as an introduction to adaptations. Students will view video clips of birds and formulate their own observations and explanations for the different types of bird beaks and how they are used.
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Unit Plan
Texas Education Agency

Texas Gateway: Organisms' Adaptations

For Students 9th - 10th
Given scenarios, illustrations. or descriptions, the student will compare variations and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems.
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Unit Plan
NOAA

Noaa: Estuaries 101 Curriculum: Biodiversity in an Estuary

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity introduces students to the amazing biodiversity of an estuarine environment, focusing on the habitats in the Rookery Bay National EstuarineResearch Reserve, Florida. They begin by exploring the estuary using Google Maps....
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Lesson Plan
Other

Nasa: The Case of the Prize Winning Plants [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
This program uses a scenario with fictional detective characters to present plant growth to students. While the unit focuses on the basic needs and parts of plants, the topics of plant classification and adaptations, soil formation and...
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Website
PBS

Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Communication

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This comprehensive site describes how communication is an adaptation that is important for survival.
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Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: 3 Ls4 3: Habitats and Organism Survival

For Teachers 3rd
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard 3-LS4-3: habitats and organism survival.
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Lesson Plan
University of California

South Coast Science Project: Mimicking Plants and Animals Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 1st
In this lesson, students are challenged to think about external features that animals and plants have that humans have copied. Students then apply their engineering skills to design a jacket. In addition, this activity introduces the...
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Website
PBS

Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Structural and Behavioral Adaptations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This effective site focuses on how structural and behavioral adaptations help organisms survive and reproduce.
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Website
PBS

Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Coloration

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This competent site describes how structural adaptations help organisms survive. Deceptive and advertising coloration are explained.
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Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: 3 Ls4 2: Variation, Survival, and Reproduction

For Teachers 3rd
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard 3-LS4-2: variation, survival, and reproduction
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Lesson Plan
University of Michigan

Michigan Sea Grant: Teaching Great Lakes Science: Fish Identification

For Teachers 4th - 8th
In this activity, students examine the physical characteristics of fish that live in the Great Lakes and identify common features that help species to survive in that environment. Downloadable resources include a fish poster, fish family...
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Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Nhmu: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th
Recognize the specific adaptations of living things and relate them to survival within the animals environment.
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Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Nhmu: Birds Will Be Birds

For Teachers 4th
Analyze the physical characteristics of 12 different birds and consider how this enables them to survive in their individual habitats.