1. Department of Mathematics and Science
Animal Adaptations SC.5.L.17.1 and Environmental Changes SC.5.L Activities
Open Discovery Education site from your Employee Portal and minimize.
Department of Mathematics and Science

2. Big Idea 15 and 17: Environmental Changes & Animal Adaptations
SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations. (Assessed as SC.5.L.17.1.)
Cognitive Complexity: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
SC.5.L Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycle variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.
Cognitive Complexity: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Department of Mathematics and Science

3. Big Idea 15 and 17: Environmental Changes & Animal Adaptations
LAFS.5.RI By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently
LAFS.5.W.3.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
LAFS.5.SL.1.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Department of Mathematics and Science

4. What do you know about adaptations?
Adaptations are special body parts or behaviors that allow an animal to survive in its environment.
When an environment changes, the organism that is best adapted to the change will be the one that survives.
Engage: Ask the questions and allow students time to respond.
Department of Mathematics and Science

5. What are different types of adaptations?
Physical Adaptations: physical characteristics of an animal that let it fill its niche in the environment
Behavioral Adaptations: things that animals do to fit into their niche in the environment
Explain: Watch Discovery Education video segment on Physical and Behavioral adaptations.
Department of Mathematics and Science

6. What do you know about this animal?
What adaptations do you think an opossum has?
In what environment might you find an opossum?
Explain: Discuss adaptations opossums have, and their environments.
Department of Mathematics and Science

7. CPALM.ORG: “The Oppossum”
You are going to work in groups to analyze adaptations and how they help an opossum survive. (Provide evidence to support your claim.)
Using your science journal you will create a data chart to record your responses.
Explore: Pass out adaptation cards and provide groups time to talk about their card and to answer the questions. Remind participants that when they report out to the group, it is expected that they provide evidence to support their claims. For example: sharp teeth help the opossum tear food and to chew the food.
Have participants create a data chart in their science notebooks.
Adaptation
Physical or Behavioral?
How does it help it survive?
Long, sharp teeth
hissing
Department of Mathematics and Science

8. Department of Mathematics and Science
Animal Adaptations
Department of Mathematics and Science

9. Animal Adaptations – Wild Kratts
Continent
Animal
Climate
Adaptation
Open hyperlink to Animal Adaptations lesson. Then click on Wild Kratts link to Creative Photoshoot and play the activity.
Department of Mathematics and Science

10. Animal Research Project
Department of Mathematics and Science

11. HABITATS

12. Animal Project Requirements
Extend/Elaborate: See Animal Project Requirements document.
Department of Mathematics and Science

13. Department of Mathematics and Science
Animal Project Rubric
Extend/Elaborate: See Animal Project Requirements document.
Department of Mathematics and Science

14. Department of Mathematics and Science

15. Department of Mathematics and Science

16. Department of Mathematics and Science
Resources
Department of Mathematics and Science