Animal Adaptation Unit
Animal Adaptation PBL w/ OER
Students will create animals that have adaptations that would enable them to survive in environments that evolve.
Subject: Science
Grade Level: Middle School (6th Grade)
WI State Standards
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
SCI.LS1.B.m
SCI.LS2.Am
SCI.LS4.C.m
Cross Cutting Concepts:
SCI.CC2.m
SCI.CC6.m
SCI.CC7.m
Science and Engineering Practices:
SCI.SEP2.A.m
Amazing Animalia- Student Workbook (Google Slides)
Amazing Animalia- Teacher Presentation (Google Slides)
Driving Question:
How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival?
Anchoring Phenomenon:
https://www.ngssphenomena.com/phenomena/
https://www.ngssphenomena.com/search?q=adaptation
Sequencing
Lesson 1 (2-3 days)
Question: What characteristics determine what kingdom organism is in?
Instructional Strategies:
Video: single cell
Reference: Kingoms
Activity: Do practice on ck12 site
Learning Outcome: The characteristics the organisms in each kingdom have.
Lesson 2 (4-5 days)
Question: How are the animals organized in the Animal kingdom (Linnaean System)?
What are their basic needs?
What are food webs?
What are predator/prey relationships?
Instructional Strategies:
Video: taxonomy
Reference: CK-12
Activity: http://wonderwise.unl.edu/02teach/paraact.pdf#page=5 (Activities in which students have to classify things)
https://www.ck12.org/c/life-science/characteristics-of-life/ - Characteristics of Living Things (read, activity, video)
https://www.ck12.org/c/life-science/organization-of-living-things/ - Organization of Living Things (read, activity, video)
Learning Outcome: All animals are part of the animal kingdom, however, organisms with similar characteristics are more closely related in groups.
All animals basic needs are: water, food, shelter/protection.
Lesson 3 (10 days combined with lesson 4)
Question: What animals/groups are in the Chordata (vertebrates) phylum?
Instructional Strategies:
Video: Chordates
Reference:
Activity:
Learning Outcome: The chordata phylum consists of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Lesson 4 (10 days combined with lesson 3)
Question: What are adaptations of vertebrates according to environments?
Instructional Strategies:
Learning Outcome: Adaptations are camouflage, how they get food, and how they defend/avoid predators.
Lesson 5 (12 days combined with lesson 6)
Question: What are some of the major animals/groups in the invertebrates?
Instructional Strategies:
Reference:
Activity:
Learning Outcome: The major groups are sponges, cnidarians, worms, mollusks, arthropods, and echinoderms.
Lesson 6 (12 days combined with lesson 5)
Question: What are adaptations of invertebrates according to environments?
Instructional Strategies:
Video:
Reference:
Activity:
Learning Outcome: Adaptations are camouflage, how they get food, and how they defend/avoid predators.
Lesson 7 (5+ days)
Question: How are your organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival on your planet (environment)?
Instructional Strategies:
Video: Animal Adaptations: Communication Video
Reference:
Activity: Website
Learning Outcome: Organisms are able to survive in their environments.