Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Looking at Bird Beaks
Use this activity as an introduction to adaptations. Students will view video clips of birds and formulate their own observations and explanations for the different types of bird beaks and how they are used.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Organisms' Adaptations
Given scenarios, illustrations. or descriptions, the student will compare variations and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems.
NOAA
Noaa: Estuaries 101 Curriculum: Biodiversity in an Estuary
This activity introduces students to the amazing biodiversity of an estuarine environment, focusing on the habitats in the Rookery Bay National EstuarineResearch Reserve, Florida. They begin by exploring the estuary using Google Maps....
![Nasa: The Case of the Prize Winning Plants [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Nasa: The Case of the Prize Winning Plants [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Other
Nasa: The Case of the Prize Winning Plants [Pdf]
This program uses a scenario with fictional detective characters to present plant growth to learners. While the unit focuses on the basic needs and parts of plants, the topics of plant classification and adaptations, soil formation and...
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Communication
This comprehensive site describes how communication is an adaptation that is important for survival.
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science: 3 Ls4 3: Habitats and Organism Survival
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard 3-LS4-3: habitats and organism survival.
University of California
South Coast Science Project: Mimicking Plants and Animals Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students are challenged to think about external features that animals and plants have that humans have copied. Students then apply their engineering skills to design a jacket. In addition, this activity introduces the...
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Coloration
This competent site describes how structural adaptations help organisms survive. Deceptive and advertising coloration are explained.
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science: 3 Ls4 2: Variation, Survival, and Reproduction
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard 3-LS4-2: variation, survival, and reproduction
University of Michigan
Michigan Sea Grant: Teaching Great Lakes Science: Fish Identification
In this lesson plan, students examine the physical characteristics of fish that live in the Great Lakes and identify common features that help species to survive in that environment. Downloadable resources include a fish poster, fish...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Nhmu: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt
Recognize the specific adaptations of living things and relate them to survival within the animals environment.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Nhmu: Birds Will Be Birds
Analyze the physical characteristics of 12 different birds and consider how this enables them to survive in their individual habitats.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Life's Different Seasons
Recognize changes in bears and insects and compare them.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Survival of the Fittest
Fins, gills, claws, wings, each has a special purpose in helping an animal to survive. Students will look at how animals have different parts that help them to adapt to their habitat, and to avoid predators or capture prey. Included in...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Animal Adaptations
A multitude of activities provide help with understanding animal adaptations.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 4:5 Investigation 3 Web of Life
Understand environments and how organisms adapt to their environment.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Plant and Animal Communities
Learn about the six main classes of the animal kingdom.
BBC
Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Living Things: Plant and Animal Habitats
Place the aliens in the habitats where they can survive the best. Following the activity, read more about plant and animal habitats, and then take a quick quiz to check for understanding.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Build a Bug : Bugs Don't Bug Me
Students learn what adaptations macroinvertebrates have in order to live in an aquatic environment.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 4:5 Investigation 5 Desert Dynamics
Fourth graders will understand how plants and animals adapt to their environment.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Crazy Camouflage
Create a flounder fish that's hard to spot. In this hands-on activity, students gather evidence to explore how camouflage helps animals survive.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Comparative Anatomy of Bird vs. Human Leg Bones
This activity is designed for students to compare and contrast the anatomy of bird and human leg bones. Students will kinesthetically model walking like a bird to note the differences in the foot bones.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Game Changing Amniotic Egg
April Tucker peels back each layer of the amniotic egg, revealing how truly extraordinary this evolutionary marvel is. [4:30]
BioMan Biology
Bio Man Biology: Snurfle Islands
Create a Snurfle and see whether it can survive in different environments. As you play the game, you will learn about natural selection and animal adaptations. At the end of the game, try the multiple-choice quiz to check your...