A discussion of bioluminescence launches an investigation of animal adaptations. After re-watching the opening minutes of Dark Water, class members listen to a reading of What Do You Do with a Tail Like This, and then create a new animal that has developed adaptations that permit it to survive in its environment.

Concepts

animal adaptations, bioluminescence, dominant traits, making predictions, the chumash, native american history, native american tribes

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• To launch the lesson, post Reggie Pagaling's comment about bioluminescence, display luminescent stickers (available at most office supply stores), and replay the first minutes of the Dark Water video 
• If old picture magazines are not available, have individuals draw pictures of their new animal

Classroom Considerations

• Requires access to Robin Page and Steve Jenkins' interactive guessing book, What Do You Do with a Tail Like This
• Assumes class members have watched the documentary Dark Water, found in the first resource in the series
• Requires copies of magazines like National Geographic, Ranger Rick, Zoobooks, etc. for individuals to cut up
• The third resource in a four-part unit

Pros

• The 3-page packet includes a brief plan and suggested activities
• Also included is a link to the National Geographic Kids YouTube video

Cons

• No discussion questions are included
• Some learners may need additional scaffolding to make the leap from the references in the video to bioluminescence or others forms of animal adaptations