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 1.04

Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.

Resources aligned to this objective

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 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.
Diamante Poetry Using Environments Day 3
This lesson will introduce and reinforce learners' understanding of habitat components within an environment.

This lesson is one in a series of lessons: Understanding Animal Adaptation (Day 1), Animal Environments (Day 2), Diamante Poetry Using Environments (Day 3).
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 English Language Arts and Science)
By Cheri Cole.
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.
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

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
Are sharks as dangerous as we think they are?
Students conduct research to address the question: “Are sharks as dangerous as we think they are?” They present their findings in oral presentations. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Chimps, humans, thumbs, and tools
In this Xpeditions lessons, students discuss the chimpanzee studies done by Jane Goodall and Elizabeth Lonsdorf. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Cicada invasion
In this lesson, from Science NetLinks, students consider how some animals, periodical cicadas, survive well in a particular environment due to the species' life cycle. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Crane Cam: Conservation and community
In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. They study crane activity in the Platte River Valley and research the effects of human intervention on bird populations. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Ferocious felines
In this Xpeditions lesson, students study the biota of the Kalahari Desert and the importance of the lion's role as predator within this ecosystem. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science and English Language Arts)
Provider: National Geographic
How do leopard seals hunt?
In this lesson from Xpeditions, students brainstorm the hunting behaviors of animals in general and leopard seals in particular and read some basic information about leopard seals. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science and English Language Arts)
Provider: National Geographic
Icebergs and penguins
In this lesson from Xpeditions, students read a National Geographic News article about the impact of ice building on penguin breeding in Antarctica. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science and English Language Arts)
Provider: National Geographic
Introducing biodiversity
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use online resources to identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity and the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
It takes a rookery
In this Xpeditions activity, students explore the notion of "community." They first study emperor penguin and other animal communities then apply what they have learned to determine how they can better participate in their own communities. (Learn more)
Format: activity (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Lighting up the sea
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students explore the reasons for bioluminescence by conducting a simulation and viewing pictures of bioluminescent marine animals on the Web. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science and English Language Arts)
Provider: National Geographic
Little Red Riding Hood Meets--A Golden Retriever?
In this lesson students will learn about how dogs evolved from wolves, and the similarities and differences between dogs and wolves. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
The ocean and human medicine
In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about two species of marine animal--Bugula neritina and the horseshoe crab and their medical benefits. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Paleoanthropology - What is bipedalism?
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the field of paleoanthropology. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Paperbag paleontology
Cornell Paleontologist John Chiment enlists the aid of younger school children in sorting through materials collected at a dig site and, in the process, demonstrates that anyone can “do science.” (Learn more)
Format: activity (grade K–5 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science