In the first session, students view the module video All About Animal Adaptations. Before students view the video, each student generates a list on the forum of "Everything We Know About.." this topic. This discussion is prompted by the following questions:
1. Why aren't all animals alike?
2. What do animals need to survive in different environments?
While watching the video, students are asked to pay particular attention to the segments that show animal adaptations for obtaining food, moving, protecting and defending themselves, and caring for young. For example, there are many different adaptations for getting food. Some animals have sharp teeth and claws that they use to eat meat, while other animals have flat teeth for grinding and chewing plants. A giraffe's long neck is another example of an adaptation for obtaining food. Animals never become totally adapted to their environment, however, because an environment is constantly changing. Some changes are helpful to some animals while they are detrimental to others. If the environment, changes too quickly, some animals will not be able to adapt and become extinct.
Following the video viewing, students work independently to create an All About Animal Adaptations wiki page that incorporates the content covered in notebook sheet no. 11, All About Animal Adaptations. This wiki page includes text with formating and a least one picture to illustrate what's discussed in the text.
Finally, each student then revisits his or her forum post of "Everything We Know About..." to revise any misconceptions. Students are instructed to read at least three other students "Everything We Know About..." forum posts, and comment on any misconceptions too.
In session 2, students explore adaptations further using the multi-media Habitat Gallery located on the FOSSWeb site (http://www.fossweb.com/CA/modules3-6/StructuresofLife/activities/habitat...). Here students are introduced to the wide diversity of organisms on Earth. Students select organisms for eight different environments, such as ocean, grassland, and pond, in order to identify specific adaptations. Students work collaboratively in groups of four to complete a wiki page which is a duplicate of notebook sheet no. 10, Adaptation and set up as a template in Moodle.
Each item in the gallery includes a picture of the organism and some information about it. There are eight classes of information:
1. The name and picture of the organism
2. Shelter and how the organism protects itself (if it does)
3. Food and how the organism gets food; size, including its measurements
4. Kind of organism, such as plants, insects, or reptiles
5. Habitat and the kinds of environment the organism can live it
6. Adaptation
7. Interesting fact
Each group member selects one environment and works to identify an interesting adaptation for movement and then writes a short description of the adaptation. Next, the student finds organisms with interesting adaptations for getting food, protection, and caring for its young. He records the names of these organisms and again, describe their adaptations. Students repeat this activity for three additional environments.
In session 3, the students listen to audio recordings (and/or read) from the Science Resources textbook that support students understanding of this content. Inv. 3, Adaptations (from pages 115-120) introduces the concept and cites many examples of structural and behavioral adaptations. Inv. 3, Life on Earth (from pages 121-133) summarizes each unique environment and the kinds of organisms that exist in each. Students complete the Science Resources study guide during and after this activity. As homework, students complete the Home-School Connection activity (see below).
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