Biomes and Adaptations: How Living Things Adapt in Order to Survive

Would you be able to live at the bottom of the ocean?  

Think about it.  Do you have gills or fins to help you breathe and swim through the water?
In this unit, we will be exploring different biomes and how living things adapt (or change) in order to survive there.

This scuba diver uses oxygen tanks and flippers to help survive at the bottom of the ocean.  Without these adaptations, she would not be able to breathe or move quickly. 
(image courtesy www.rostranovum.blogspot.com)

Standards addressed:

1) California Science: Life Science: Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for survival. As a basis for understanding this concept: a)Students know plants and animals have structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.b) Students know examples of diverse life forms in different environments, such as oceans, deserts, tundra, forests, grasslands, and wetlands. 

2)  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1: Write persuasive texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Background:

You have been learning about different landforms in Social Studies and about different types of animals such as amphibians and reptiles in Science.  Now you will discover more about where these creatures live and how they survive in these habitats through various activities, games and projects.

The Saguaro Cactus has adapted to the desert biome by having spines to protect it from predators and a wax coating to help seal in any water it receives.  
(image courtesy www.wildnatureimages.com)

Tasks:
Over the next two weeks you will complete several projects to help you learn about the biomes in which plants and animals live, and how they have adapted to those environments. You will have two graded assignments and one independent task: 

1) Create a Tackk poster with group members about your assigned biome. 
2) Add a submission to a Padlet wall.
3) Design an animal using an online website, and write a paragraph describing its biome and adaptations. 

Resources: 

For Task 1:
    **Students will need to download the observation chart.
    **Students will view the assigned section of this Biome website and complete the charts.  
    **Students will create a Tackk poster as a group, representing one of the six biomes. 
    **Students will share the Tackk posters by linking them to this class blog.

For Task 2:
    **Students will answer the question on the Padlet wall so students can learn from their classmates about adaptations and review vocabulary terms. 

For Task 3: 
    **Students will design an animal using SwitchZoo.
    **Students will construct a paragraph at the SwitchZoo site explaining the biome the animal could survive in and the adaptations it would need to do so.  

                       
Process:   

Day 1: Introduction to Biomes

1)View as a class the following video. 
2) Class discussion:  What is a biome? How many biomes are there? What kinds of plants and animals live there? Which biome do you live in?  If you could choose a different biome to live in, which would it be and why?
3)With a partner, choose two biomes and complete the following graphic organizer.

 video courtesy http://youtu.be/hIy0ZlyPPDg

Days 2 & 3: Biomes Tackk Posters (Task 1). 


1) Download and print this observation chart.
2) In groups of three complete the chart with your assigned biome.
3) Use information from this site to complete your chart.
4) Construct a paragraph describing your biome, using information from your chart. Use this graphic organizer.
5) Once your paragraph has been edited, create your Tackk poster.  
     Below is an example of what a finished Tackk looks like.
6) When finished, copy the link to your Tackk poster and link it to this classroom blog.

Day 4: Introduction to Adaptations

1) Class discussion.  What happens when it starts to rain?  Do you put on a raincoat to protect yourself?  Discuss how plants and animals protect themselves from predators and harsh living conditions such as extreme heat or cold.  Explain the difference between physical adaptations such as long necks helping giraffes to reach leaves high in trees, and behavioral adaptations such as cats hissing at attackers.
2) As a class we will be completing an activity that shows how animals such as seals and whales have adapted to cold ocean water.  Check out the video below!

video courtesy Steve Spangler Science

Day 5:  Different Types of Adaptations Foldable

1) Class discussion.  What do you do when you are scared?  Do you make noises or hide under your bed?  How do you reach the peanut butter jar at the top of the cabinet if you're not tall enough?  Explain the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations.  Physical adaptations are a part of an animal's body that helps them get what they need to survive (like sharp claws).  A behavioral adaptation is something the animal does to protect itself from predators (such as growling).
2) In groups, we will create a foldable like the one below that shows the different types of adaptations that animals can use to protect themselves.

 image courtesy http://saylorslog.blogspot.com/2011/03/science-anyone.html

Day 6: Review Vocabulary with Padlet (Task 2)

1) After watching the videos below, go to the Padlet website and answer the questions using complete sentences.  The password to log in  is (password).

Video 1: Biomes

Click here to watch the video: Study Jams: Biomes

video courtesy http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/biomes.htm

Video 2: Adaptations

Click here to watch the video: Study Jams: Adaptations

video courtesy http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/animals/animal-adaptations.htm

2) Click here to make your Padlet assignment.  Once there, answer the questions using complete sentences.  Use the tools on the right side of the screen to help you. You may add a picture to personalize your entry.  Make sure your name is part of the title.

 

Day 7:  Skype Session:  Skype Education: Rocky Shore Ramble

1) We will be discussing how crabs and starfish have adapted to their environment through this hands-on Skype session.  

2)  Download this graphic organizer.  

     **On the front choose crab or starfish.  

     **Write in the boxes the adaptations the animal has made to survive.  

     **On the back of the paper, write two questions you'd like to ask the marine biologist about this activity.

image courtesy https://education.skype.com/projects/6445-a-rocky-shore-ramble-in-the-classroom

Day 8:  Review

1) Review what you've learned about the adaptations plants and animals make in order to survive in their biomes.

2) Click here to play this fun game about adaptations!

game courtesy http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/animalneeds/

 3) Review the six different biomes by playing this game.

 game courtesy http://switchzoo.com/games/habitatgame.htm

 Days 9 & 10: Assessment (Task 3)

1) Design a new animal at SwitchZoo.
2) Select a head, legs and tail that you think would be most beneficial to your new creature in the given biome.
3) Use this graphic organizer to keep track of your adaptations and why you chose them.  The goal is to survive. The reasons are the adaptations.  The facts and examples are how the adaptations will help this animal. 
4) Go to the story section.  
    **The title of your story will be your animal's name.
    **Write a paragraph explaining why you chose the adaptations you did. See my example below.
    **Print. 

image courtesy http://switchzoo.com/zoo.htm

Rubrics:

You will be graded using the following rubrics for Tasks 1 and 3.

Task 1: Biomes Tackk Poster

Task 2: SwitchZoo Animal Adaptations and Persuasive Paragraph

 Conclusion:

**Throughout this unit students have had the opportunity to work individually and in groups, create projects hands-on and with the help of technology, play online games to review concepts, chat with marine biologists via Skype and incorporate writing skills into Science projects.   Students should be able to explain the characteristics of the different biomes of the world, and how plants and animals have adapted in order to survive in them.