AnimalsWeek 8

Directions1.Prepare your desk for science.• Put your signed quiz face down on your desk.

2.Use voice level 2 (conversation) to discuss this question:• What are some adaptations for animals in the

desert? What are some adaptations for animals in the tundra?

Review sheet for test

Homework

Subject Homework Due DateScience Animal Test Tuesday

Targets & Warm UpTargets:Students will conduct an experiment to find out how a bird’s adaptation helps it survive.

Warm Up: Not all bird beaks look the same. Why?

Table of Contents

Date Title PageAnimal Adaptation

Experiment24, 25

Once you are finished with the Table of Contents, go to page 24 and 25 and add the title and date to the top of the page.

Question

Does the shape of a bird’s beak affect how much food it can obtain?

ResearchAn adaptation is a characteristic that helps a plant or animal survive in its environment. Bird beaks have adapted for many things such as eating, defense, feeding young, gathering nesting materials, building nests, preening, scratching, courting and attacking. The size and shape a beak is specific for the type of food the bird gathers. For example, cardinals have heavy thick bills used to crack seeds, and humming-birds have thin bills to sip nectar.

Our Beaks

Pelican

Black heronNorthern Cardinal

HypothesisIf _____________________________________, then __________________________________.

If the shape of a bird’s beak changes, then the amount of food it can obtain will change.If the shape of a bird’s beak changes, then the amount of food it can obtain will not change.

What is your independent variable?What is your dependent variable?

Experiment

Materials:

• 1 pair of scissors• 1 clothespin• 1 spoon• 1 plate of beans• 1 cup• 1 timer

ExperimentProcedure:

1. Place the plate of beans on a plate on a flat surface.2. Set the timer for 20 seconds.3. Start the timer and use the scissors to pick up one

bean at a time, placing each one into the cup.4. Continue picking up the beans until the timer stops.5. Record the number of beans that are in the cup.6. Using the scissors, repeat steps 2 to 5 two more

times.7. Pick up the clothespin and repeat steps 2 to 6.8. Pick up the spoon and repeat steps 2 to 6.

Analysis

Analysis (continued)

Analysis (continued)

Using the scissors, our group picked up an average of…

Using the clothespin…

Using the spoon…

The “beak” that picked up the most beans was…

Conclusion– Hypothesis reflection• Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect?

Why?– Areas of improvement• How could you improve this experiment in the

future?– Application section• What did the experiment teach you?• How can you use this information in real life?

Question

What adaptation does a bird have to obtain food? Why?

Targets (Revisited)

Students will conduct an experiment to find out how a bird’s adaptation helps it survive.

Homework

Subject Homework Due DateScience Animal Test Tuesday