Awesome Adaptations

This lesson plan is centered around the adaptation of bird beaks.  It includes an engaging introductory activity, a hands-on activity, ideas for supporting all learners, lesson extensions, assessments, and home connections. During this lesson, students produce an adaptation web, listen to a trade book, discuss beak adaptations, and simulate a bird picking up an item of food using plastic knives, spoons, and chopsticks.  Data is collected as students use the tools to pick up food for a designated amount of time.  Extensions include creating an imaginary animal with adaptations, creating a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting adaptations, and bringing in a guest speaker.  It is designed to last 2 lesson sessions.

Weblink address (URL): 
Awesome Adaptations

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of animal adaptations
  • Compare and analyze various adaptations

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Differentiation suggestions: 

Supporting all Learners:

  • When introducing animals to the class, label the animal body parts on the animal pictures.
  • Have a chart/pictures printed from the Internet of different shape beaks.
  • There are many Internet sites that have web cams that allow viewers to observe animals in their habitats. Share the live view with the class so students can make a visual connection of the animals' behavior in their environment.
  • Working with partners helps build vocabulary for students not familiar with vocabulary.
Extension suggestions: 

Lesson Extensions:

  • Students can create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast adaptations of animals. They can write a paragraph comparing and contrasting information.
  • Students create a fictional animal with adaptations from various animals. They cut out body parts from animal pictures and glue them together. Students write a paragraph or story describing the environment the fictional animal lives in related to the adaptations it has.
  • Invite a local wildlife expert as a guest speaker to discuss owls with the students. For a small donation, educators will bring an owl to the classroom. (Southern California classrooms, please contact Project Wildlife.)

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • Pictures of animals and/or stuffed animals
  • Chart paper or whiteboard and markers
  • Animal Adaptations Web printable
  • Read-aloud book about owls (I like to use Owls by Gail Gibbons, but there are several read-aloud suggestions on my Overboard for Owls Book List)
  • Pictures of owls
  • Pinto beans
  • Lima beans
  • Rice
  • Small plastic bags for food, 3 per pair of students
  • Plastic knives, 1 per pair of students
  • Plastic spoons, 1 per pair of students
  • Pairs of chopsticks, 1 per pair of students
  • Small paper cups, 1 per pair of students
  • Adaptation Activity Worksheet printable

References

Contributors: 
Diane Vaughn
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation