Polar bears Activity 2 – Adaptations year 7 upgrade A teaching sequence from the Extinction unit of upd8 wikid year 7 upgrade 1

7E Learning Cycle The trainees’ new challenge is to research the plight of polar bears The trainees’ understanding of adaptations comes in useful at the zoo They learn what it takes to survive in the Arctic The trainees submit their report. What will Julian think? Are the polar bears’ adaptations still useful in their changing environment? Arctic scientist Anna shares what she knows about the local animals Anna helps the trainees see how adaptations aid survival 2 © Association for Science Education and Centre for Science Education 2010 This page may have been changed from the original 2

Expected Learning: State what adaptation is. List some examples of physical and behavioural adaptations. 3 Activity 2: Adaptations

…but how can any animals survive in a place like this? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate SS1–18 Hello, I’m Anna. Good to see you’ve got plenty of equipment and warm clothing… …but how can any animals survive in a place like this? You might get some clues from my notes. 4 Activity 2: Adaptations 4

How do they cope with the long cold winters? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Arctic hare Caribou How do they cope with the long cold winters? Wolverine Arctic fox 5 Activity 2: Adaptations 5

Walrus Ringed seal Lemming Musk ox Narlwhal 6 Activity 2: Adaptations Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Walrus Ringed seal Lemming Narlwhal Musk ox 6 Activity 2: Adaptations 6

Which features are common in arctic animals? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Which features are common in arctic animals? 7 Activity 2: Adaptations 7

physical and behavioural adaptations Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Features that help living things survive in specific environments are adaptations. Survival essentials keep body warm find food and water avoid predators and raise offspring using your physical and behavioural adaptations They usually take many generations to develop. 8 Activity 2: Adaptations 8

suction pads stop them slipping on the ice Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate SS19 suction pads stop them slipping on the ice 9 Activity 2: Adaptations 9

How would you define an ‘adaptation’? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate How would you define an ‘adaptation’? Which features are common in arctic animals? Many animals ‘tough out’ harsh conditions just like the polar bear. 10 Activity 2: Adaptations 10

Adaptation Survival value Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Adaptation Survival value 1. Wide feet with A provides shade. tough hooves 2. Fat store in hump B stops camel sinking. 3. Two rows of C keeps out sand. long eyelashes 4. Nostrils that D lets it survive long can be closed periods without food and water. Which features are common in arctic animals? Can you match each adaptation to its survival value? 11 Activity 2: Adaptations 11

Which features are common in arctic animals? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Others hide underground to avoid the worst conditions like this naked mole rat. Which features are common in arctic animals? 12 Activity 2: Adaptations 12

Which aid desert survival? Which help them to live underground? Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Adaptations Gets its water from the roots it eats. Narrow slits for eyes and poor sight. Survives with low amounts of oxygen. Can move backwards as fast as forwards. Large teeth that stick out for digging. Lips that seal behind their teeth. Survives on very little food. Thin, short legs. Which aid desert survival? Which help them to live underground? 13 Activity 2: Adaptations 13

When the environment changes, different adaptations are needed. Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate When the environment changes, different adaptations are needed. 14 Activity 2: Adaptations 14

If the changes take many generations, species can adapt. Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate If the changes take many generations, species can adapt. 15 Activity 2: Adaptations 15

Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate SS20 Which polar bear features might change if they adapted to life in the desert? 16 Activity 2: Adaptations 16

Species become extinct if they can’t adapt to their new environment. Engage Elicit Explore Explain Elaborate Extend Evaluate Species become extinct if they can’t adapt to their new environment. 17 Activity 2: Adaptations 17

_________________________________________________________________ Picture credits Picture Slide Credit _________________________________________________________________ Hare 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Caribou 6 David Cartier Wolverine 6 U.S. National Park Service Arctic fox 6 Tobi Britsch Walrus 7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Narwhal 7 NIST Musk ox 7 Dr. Len Radin Camping on ice 9 Kathleen M. Heideman Camels 11–12 James Sullivan Bear in the desert 15–18 A.Z. Rainman Desert composition 17 Samir Magiclook Activity from the Extinction unit © Association for Science Education and Centre for Science Education 2010. Teachers and others who download this material may use it freely within their institution. For any other usage consult the upd8 team, upd8@ase.org.uk  ASE and upd8 are not responsible for any revision that may be made to the material after it has been downloaded. © Association for Science Education and Centre for Science Education 2010 This page may have been changed from the original