Animal Adaptations SC.5.L.17.1and

Environmental Changes SC.5.L.15.1

Activities

Department of Mathematics and Science

Department of Mathematics and Science

Big Idea 15 and 17:Environmental Changes &

Animal Adaptations• SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes,

differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations. (Assessed as SC.5.L.17.1.)

Cognitive Complexity: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning

• SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycle variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.

Cognitive Complexity: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts

Department of Mathematics and Science

Big Idea 15 and 17:Environmental Changes &

Animal Adaptations

• LAFS.5.RI.4.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently

• LAFS.5.W.3.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

• LAFS.5.SL.1.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Department of Mathematics and Science

What do you know about adaptations?

• Adaptations are special body parts or behaviors that allow an animal to survive in its environment.

• When an environment changes, the organism that is best adapted to the change will be the one that survives.

Department of Mathematics and Science

What are different types of adaptations?

• Physical Adaptations: physical characteristics of an animal that let it fill its niche in the environment

• Behavioral Adaptations: things that animals do to fit into their niche in the environment

Department of Mathematics and Science

What do you know about this animal?

1. What adaptations do you think an opossum has?

2. In what environment might you find an opossum?

Department of Mathematics and Science

CPALM.ORG: “The Oppossum”• You are going to work in groups to analyze

adaptations and how they help an opossum survive. (Provide evidence to support your claim.)

• Using your science journal you will create a data chart to record your responses.

Adaptation Physical or Behavioral?

How does it help it survive?

Long, sharp teeth

hissing

Department of Mathematics and Science

Animal Adaptations

Department of Mathematics and Science

Animal Adaptations – Wild Kratts

ContinentClimate

AnimalAdaptation

1.

2.

3.

Department of Mathematics and Science

Animal Research Project

HABITATS

Department of Mathematics and Science

Animal Project Requirements

Animal Project Rubric

Department of Mathematics and Science

Department of Mathematics and Science

Department of Mathematics and Science

Department of Mathematics and Science

Resources

• http://pbskids.org/wildkratts/habitats/• http://www.playlearnschool.com/Science/3/A

nimals/Adaptations-Of-Animals-2.aspx• http://www.cpalms.org/Public/