Self-Directed Tours-Animal Adaptations

Even though this site is designed to prepare students for a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo, part of that preparation includes information about adaptations, objectives and vocabulary, and pre-visit activities.  Activities to do  during and post-visit are also included.  Information about different animals at the zoo is included that can be used as part of adaptation lessons. Teachers can use this site to build vocabulary and provide information about adaptations.  Lesson plans for activities are described below.  Many Colored Cats- Students learn about camouflage as they identify characteristics of how different cats survive using camouflage.  Riddles are provided for students to guess which cat is being described. Camouflage in the Classroom- The lesson begins with students looking for colored toothpicks (or other appropriate items) to learn how camouflage helps animals to survive.  Students color butterflies so they are camouflaged in the classroom.  Butterfly patterns are provided. Creature Feature Scavenger Hunt and Animal Adaptations at the Zoo-  These activities are designed to be used while visiting the Milwaukee Zoo, but can be used in a classroom as students use different resources to match animals with the different physical features and answer questions about different animals and their adaptations. Fact and Fiction I and Fact and Fiction II- Students compare adaptations for finding food and escaping from predators, write a story describing how an adaptation arose, and create an imaginary creature with adaptations for survival.    

Weblink address (URL): 
Self-Directed Tours-Animal Adaptations

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Objectives:

Section 1:

  • Children will understand what animal adaptations are.
  • Children will be able to explain why animal adaptations are important.
  • Children will be able to explain different types of animal adaptations and how they serve different animals.

Section 4:

  • Children will be able to define camouflage.
  • Children will be able to describe how camouflage helps some cats survive.
  • Children will be able to identify characteristics of different types of cats.

Section 6:

  • Children will be able to define adaptation.
  • Children also will be able to compare mammal adaptations for finding food and escaping from predators.
  • Children will write and illustrate a story describing how a certain mammal adaptation arose

Section 7:

  • Children will be able to define adaptations.
  • Children will be able to create an imaginary animal with real adaptations using their background knowledge of animal adaptations.

 

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

Helpful Hints

Materials:

Section 4:

  • Copies of cat accordion sheet included Copies of cat poem included Scissors
  • Crayons or markers Reference books
  • Chalkboard or easel paper Pictures of different wild cats
  • One box of assorted toothpicks
  • An outdoor grassy area or large piece of fabric or Astroturf
  • Paper butterfly patterns for each student
  • Butterfly pattern
  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Colored toothpicks or paper clips

Section 6:

  • Copy of Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
  • Copy of "Why the Possum's Tail is Bare" by James Connolly (Ranger Rick, April 1985)
  • Chalkboard or easel paper
  • Paper and pencils
  • Reference books
  • Crayons or markers

Section 6:

  • Stories and illustrations created in Fact and Fiction I
  • Paper
  • Colored crayons, markers, or pencils
  • Pencil or pen
  • Chalkboard or easel paper

 

References

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