Students explore animal characteristics by creating a poster presentation in class. In this animal habitat lesson, students visit the local zoo and identify which habitats certain animals are most comfortable in. Students answer study...

Students read about animal camouflage. In this animal adaptation lesson, students read short texts about ways in which animals hide or transform to escape their prey. Students explore animal classifications and determine ways to hide in...

Students are able to describe protective adaptations of animals. They are able to categorize the animals based on their protective adaptations. Students discuss adaptations of animals. They are explained that an adaptation helps an...

The centerpiece of this lesson plan is a predator-prey simulation in which colored paperclips represent different species of animals camouflaged against a colored background. Relevant follow-up questions are provided. The activity is...

Students create an insect that can be camouflaged in its habitat. They study how camouflage can help insects survive.

In this octopus facts worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit what they know about octopus.

In this starfish activity worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit the knowledge they have regarding starfish.

Combine your lessons on animals and context clues with this cloze procedure. Fifth graders fill in the fifteen missing words in the passage to help identify their reading level. There is no word bank provided, so you could create one for...

Students color a picture of the habitat featuring mallard and other creatures, some of whom might be camouflaged or half-hidden. They discuss other forms of animal adaptation.

Learners choose a fish from anywhere within the Ocean Center. They observe it for a given time, recording its behavior. Students comprehend the concept that living things have individual characteristics that enable them to live in their...

Students examine how animals use camouflage for survival.  In this investigative lesson plan students define vocabulary words and see how it is the environment that controls which adaptations will help in survival. 

Students understand what physical adaptations are and how they help an animal to survive. In this adaptations lesson, students research four animals and then make an original animal that has adaptations to make them survive.

Students use items from boxes to dress up classmates as animals adapted to a given environment.

Students examine the different colors and patterns found on animals bodies, specifically birds. Through discussion, students discover the use of the colors and patterns for protection from predators and the advantages while hunting prey,...

Amaze the class with the creative adaptations species employ to trick predators. An online interactive lesson introduces learners to six different species with unique adaptations. Each species highlights a different adaptation and its...

Seventh graders complete a virtual online salt marsh tour. In groups, they observe and identify the various types of animals found in the marsh. After categorizing the animals, they create a food web based on the animals role in the...

Students participate in a role playing lab that allows students to experience how different beak adaptations play a role in the type of food the animal can eat, therefore playing a role in the survival of the species.

Students participate in a game of charades to examine different animal behaviors. After reading an article, they discuss why bees waggle and how that behavior applies to humans. They research the behaviors of an animal of interest to...

Learners recognize that for a trout habitat to be ideal, several components must be present.  In this trout lesson, students explore what makes a healthy stream.  Learners create paintings for a mural of a trout habitat....

First graders research ocean animals and plants on the web.  In this ocean habitat activity, 1st graders prepare a multimedia presentation.  Students will work on their presentations in pairs and every group should have its own...

Second graders examine various types of butterflies and insects around their school. They identify differences between beetles and butterflies. Students examine books about butterflies, complete symmetry drawings, and make ladybug key...

Students play 20 Questions with animal characteristics and then view an animation of how a tadpole changes into a frog. They consider the importance of camouflage to frogs and write out the story of a frog from tadpole to adult.