Evolution of a New SpeciesSubject Area: Biology/EcologyGrade: 11

Teacher: Steven MilleyUniversity of Phoenix

Instructor: Stacy Nadeau20 September 2010

Learning Objectives:Develop a KWL table to organize the

projectCompare anatomy of various animalsEvaluate anatomical adaptations to

environmentDevelop an “New Species”, combining

those characteristics you feel are most beneficial to a variety of environments

Produce a graphic organizer that presents the results of your evaluation

Instructional StrategiesThe idea of habitat will be looked at to

better understand the importance of the variety we find

We will look at habitat specific adaptations, using a variety of examples

A lesson on graphic organizers, as review based on the idea that they have used them before

The teacher will help develop our KWL tables

MaterialsLaptop computers with wireless

capabilitiesInternet accessBooks pertaining to habitat and

adaptationsGraphic organizer software as

supplied by the schoolA variety of children’s titles and

books to give examples of imaginative writing and drawing

KWL Table (example)KWL tables are used to look at the three factors of a project:

What you know What you want to know What you learn

Using this table you can determine a method to go about solving the problem.

What you learn

What you want to know

What you know

knowWant to know Learned

Know Want to know Learned

There are a variety of habitats

What are the main characteristics of habitats

Characteristics revolve around food gathering and reproduction

Animals are varied, but similar

Why are characteristics different?

Characteristics are adaptations to habitat

Animals live in specific areas

What adaptations are most beneficial in a given habitat?

Those which allow it to overcome the difficult aspects of the habitat

Animals have more than one adaptation to their habitat

Can an animal combine adaptations from different habitats?

Birds have adaptations to flight as well as water ion some cases

Animals are grouped by their specific adaptations

Can I produce a better, “New Species” that combines adaptations from various groups?

I can always try!!!

Brush hills

Habitats

Desert

Grasslands

Marshland

(Jennifer, 2009)

(Graphicshunt, 2009)

(Sonoma, 2006)

(McMaster, 2004)

Brainstorm Ideas

Come up with a variety of specific animals with obvious adaptations

List the adaptations for each animal

Zebra – stripes

Jack rabbit – long ears

Camel – humps

Flying squirrel – skin flaps

Crane – long legs, wings

(Lukes, 2000)

(The Working Guy, 2008)

(Anim

al Planet,

2010)

(Cells

in…

,2007)

(Diehl et al, nd)

Long earsSmall

Strong rear legs

QuadrupedLong neck

large

Describe similarities and differences in the animals you chose

WingsExternal

beakLong legs

Skin flapsTail

Four limbsSeparate body

partsHead

developedObvious mouth

camouflage

(Lukes, 2000)

(The Working Guy, 2008)

(Animal Planet, 2010)(Cells in…,2007)

(Diehl et al, nd)

New Speci

es

Long Legs

Long Ears

Stripes

NEW SPECIES

Water humps

Skin Flaps

Rationale Long legs• Can be used to keep you dry when in water.•Also help you move fast when running away or after something.•Allow you to step over obstaclesHumps

•Allow storage of water•Also allow storage of fat for energy •Increases rider stability

(Jeff, 2005)

(Urban 75, 2006)

Rationale Webbed limbs • Used for flying in some animals• Used for swimming in others• May prove useful in holding onto things or catching them to begin withLong Ears

• Dissipates heat•Focuses sounds•Looks cute•Gives your brother a leaning post (PIXDAUS, nd)

(Riverwolf, 2008)

Rationale Stripes

• Everyone knows you use them to hide things (such as Christmas dinner side effects)• Camouflage• Nice and easy to look at

(Warwick, 2003)

Discussion

Using the Duck Billed Platypus, what adaptations can you point out that enable it to live in its environment easily?

Read the Dr. Seuss book “I Wish That I had Duck Feet” and discuss the benefits of being a Which-What-Who.

The original New Species

Duck Billed Platypus Which What Who

(Seuss, 1965)

(Google, 2009)

Answer The Following Questions:

In nature the word habitat refers to what? What are the main determining factors that

characterize a habitat? How do animals adapt to a particular habitat

(give examples to help)? Give an example of three habitats and one

adaptation particularly suited to that habitat. Are there adaptations that would not work

well together? Explain why you came to the answer for

number 5. What would you call your “New Species”?

Assessment Rubric3 2 1 0

Research

•Include 6 organisms•Considered a variety of habitats•Included unique adaptations

•> 6 organisms or•> 4 different habitats or• every day adaptations on most of the organisms

•> 4 organisms•> 2 different habitats or habitats used incorrectly•Adaptations not tied to habitats

• >2 organisms•Habitats not described well or tied into the organisms comprehensively•Research incomplete

Assessment Rubric

KWL Table

•KWL uses at least 4 points under each heading•KWL concise, understandable•W – are realistic and not just made up•L – attainable and tied to the outcomes

•>4 points under any one heading or•KWL concise, understandable or•W – some reality exists here or•L – some are attainable, most tied to outcomes

•> 3 points And/or•KWL is confusing and not linked in theme And/or•W – not realistic or based on course work And/or•L – not attainable through this assignment

• >2 point under any heading And/or•KWL not acceptable or not used And/or•W – not provided•L – not provided

3 2 1 0

Assessment Rubric

Graphic organizer

•At least one graphic organizer used•Used correctly•Formatted properly•Shows the links between the points

•No graphic organizer usedor•Graphic organizer used incorrectly or•Formatted improperly or•No links or incorrect links shown

•Graphic organizer used incorrectlyAnd •Formatted improperly

3 2 1 0

Assessment Rubric

Graphic organizer

•At least one graphic organizer used•Used correctly•Formatted properly•Shows the links between the points

•No graphic organizer usedor•Graphic organizer used incorrectly or•Formatted improperly or•No links or incorrect links shown

•Graphic organizer used incorrectlyAnd •Formatted improperly

3 2 1 0

Assessment Rubric

New Species

•Composed of at least 6 adaptations from the original organisms•Thoughtfully put together•Described to be understandable

•Composed of less than 6 adaptations•Not realistically put together•Not easily understood when described

•Composed of less than4 adaptations•Confusing description

3 2 1 0

Assessment Rubric

New Species

•No conflicting adaptations•Viability in the real world

•1 conflicting adaptation•Some possibility of difficulty in the real world

•2 conflicting adaptations•No chance of survival due to adaptation combination

Questions

•Questions answered completely and correctly

•1-2 errors on the questions, or 2 or more incomplete

•No answers or half of the questions wrong

•Total /16

3 2 1 0

References Amy. (08 November 2007). Bring Out Your Inner

Squirrel. Cells in Culture (Finding references to Biology in popular culture and media). Available at http://cellsinculture.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Diehl L., Minikel P. & Schisgall M. (nd). Animal Adaptations. Jericho Schools UFSD. Available at http://www.jerichoschools.org/ms/library/science/animaladapt.htm

Discovery Communications (2010). Top Ten Animal Adaptations – No.6. Resource Conservation. Animal Planet. Available at http://animal.discovery.com/tv/a-list/creature-countdowns/adaptations/adaptations-06.html

GraphicsHunt.com . (2009). Available at http://www.graphicshunt.com/wallpapers/images/savannah_storm-5309.htm

Jeff. (21 December 2005). SIDE SALAD - Everything crunchy is good. Available at http://sidesalad.net/archives/2005_12.html

Jennifer, (April 29, 2009). SHE WEDS. Available at http://oldpueblowedding.blogspot.com/

References Lukes, D. (2000). Science Web Quests. Available at

http://www.can-do.com/uci/lessons98/Desert.html McMaster, C. (2004) . Amaryllid Habitats of East Cape,

Southern Africa. Available at http://mainlyamaryllidsgarden.com/ah/habitat.htm,

PIXDAUS. (nd). Available at http://pixdaus.com/index.php?pageno=36&tag=fox&sort=tag

Riverwolf. (14 August 2008). Idiosyntocracy. Available at http://idiosyntocracy.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Seuss, Dr. , Lasieg, T. & Tobey,B. (illustrator). (1965). I Wish That I Had Duck Feet. Random House Children’s Books.

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (2006). Available at http://www.sonomaopenspace.org/Content/10089/preview.html

Urban 75 (June 2006) Abandoned lines and railways http://www.urban75.org/railway/brighton-sea-railway.html,

References Warwick. (2003). Available at

http://www.jameswarwick.co.uk/do/ecco/view_item?listid=2&listcatid=17&listitemid=567

The Working Guy (2008). Savannah. This is my Home. Available at http://wftorre07.blogspot.com/2008/08/savannah.html