Name: Amy Page

Subject: Life science – animal adaptations

Grade level: 4

Content standards:

Duration: 2-3 weeks

 

Objective: Students will be able to create an imaginary animal based on what they have learned about their biome including climate, adaptations, plants, food chain/web

 

Procedure:

  1. Students will research different biomes to gather information about each biome before they make their decision on which biome they want to research more specifically.
  2. Students will rank the biomes in order of their interest in studying them. They will not be told their groups until further on in the process.
  3. Each biome will create a large list of as many animals as they can that live in their biome. They will refer back to the research they have done prior to this step. Also using Eyewitness and other animal books that match their biome.
  4. This list will be typed up and distributed to each person in that biome.
  5. Students will fill out creature sheets for 16-20 animals that live in their biome. Each creature sheet will require: animal name, adaptations, food chain/food web, temperature, home (burrow etc.)
  6. They will need to use the sites in the biomes favorites and also be checking books out from the library.
  7. Each reference must me cited using the reference cards.
  8. Students will be put into groups and work with their members throughout the rest of the process. Each groups will share the animals that they have completed creature sheets for and review the behavioral and physical adaptations for each.
  9. They will then compile a list of about 14-16 adaptations both behavioral and physical that they think are the most important for surviving in the biome they are studying.
  10. Once they have decided on this list, they will begin sketching an animal that hosts at least 10 of these adaptations and must include at least 3 behavioral and 3 physical.
  11. They will then have the opportunity to build and name their creature using the medium of their choice (clay, legos etc.).
  12. Each group will present their creature and explain each of its adaptations as it relates to their biome. They must know the environment of their biome in order to successfully complete this project.