LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 1

The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.

Objective 1.03

Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.

Resources aligned to this objective

American black bear
The students will examine the structural characteristics, behavior, and habitat of the American Black Bear necessary for survival.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Computer Technology Skills and Science)
By Shanda Myers.
Animal adaptation
This lesson focuses on the adaptations, body structures, and behavior of animals. The students will explore animal growth and adaptations of animals. This lesson is designed to be taught during the reading of Stone Fox.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Science)
By Jennifer Fessler and Karen Wright.
Animal environments: Day 2
Students will group animals using common characteristics. Students will develop an understanding of animal adaptations. This lesson is one in a series of lessons: Understanding Animal Adaptation: Day 1; Animal Environments: Day 2; Diamante Poetry Using Environments: Day 3. This is lesson two.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
By Cheri Cole.
Animal report
After studying the various animal groups, students write a report about an animal of their choosing using well-formed paragraphs.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Information Skills, English Language Arts, and Science)
By Kay Sims.
Animal slide shows!
This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Computer Technology Skills and Science)
By Margie Bartolomucci.
Drawing sea turtles
This lesson plan takes students step by step through drawing a sea turtle, using the process to discuss the animal's anatomy.
Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Visual Arts Education and Science)
By Linda Dow.
Embryology: Hatching baby chicks
This lesson integrates science, math, communication skills, arts, and social studies through hands-on activities. Students are directly involved in hatching baby chicks.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
By Ann White.
Green Wilma is missing!
This lesson is designed to be used after students have been exposed to animal classification, especially the characteristics of amphibians. Reading Green Wilma by Arnold Lobel and inviting students to respond through art and written expression is a good use of integration.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
By Emily Rothrock.
HyperStudio animal project
Students will create a multimedia project on an animal of their choice using the HyperStudio program.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Computer Technology Skills and Science)
By Suzanne Lentz.
Incredible insect mouths
This lesson shows children that insects have different kinds of mouths. It also notes the kinds of foods that different insects eat. It is a hands-on experiment type of lesson in which the children act as insects and use different tools for their “mouths.”
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts and Science)
By Kelly Stewart.
Inquiry using digital images
This lesson begins a unit of study to create the atmosphere of questioning and knowledge grounding. Digital images are given to students. Students investigate the images for information.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
By Darlene Ryan1.
Operation beach teach
This lesson is the introduction to an integrated marine science unit which culminates in an early fall trip to Hammocks Beach State Park. (See attachment: Pre-Activity). The unit is designed to hook students into science and provide joyful learning experiences across the curriculum.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, Visual Arts Education, Social Studies, and Science)
By Math Science Education Network.
Polar bears and their adaptations
In this introductory activity, students will be introduced to the concept of adaptation by exploring how a polar bear's body adapts to survive in the harsh environment in which it lives.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts and Science)
By Heather Spradling.
Researching the North Carolina coastal plain
This lesson plan will provide students with a more in-depth knowledge of the animals, industry, and land geography of the coastal plain. Students will conduct research on the internet and in other resources to find information on the vital parts of the coastal plain. The lesson culminates with group presentations of their research and a Venn diagram developed individually comparing the outer and inner parts of the coastal plain.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts, Social Studies, English Language Development, Computer Technology Skills, and Science)
By Ana Sanders and Heather Ennis.
The zoo is coming, the zoo is coming
The zoo is coming is a lesson that will give students an opportunity to write a letter to a fictional governor about the pros and cons of having a zoo come to their town.
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Information Skills, English Language Arts, Computer Technology Skills, and Science)
By Steven Sather.

Lesson plans on the web

Alligators and crocodiles
This lesson introduces students to the American alligator, the Nile crocodile, and SuperCroc. Students will learn about each species' geographical range, habitat, diet, and behaviors and design zoo habitats for the animals. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Animal adaptations
Students participate in classroom discussions about animals. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 English Language Arts and Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Beluga whales in the ice
This lesson asks students to think about how beluga whales survive in icy Arctic and subarctic waters and why they sometimes need to migrate. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Biological clocks
Students will be introduced to the concept of biological clocks in a tangible, hands-on way. The teacher will then lead them to identify internal clues they experience at different times of the day and talk about their own biological clocks. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Bird beaks
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the relationship between a bird's beak and its ability to find food and survive in a given environment. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science