By+Jeff

__**Group A Adaptations**__

(5.10 a & b)compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and survive such as hooves on prairie animals or webbed feet in aquatic animals; AND differentiate between inherited traits of plants and animals such as spines on a cactus or shape of a beak and learned behaviors such as an animal learning tricks or a child riding a bicycle; and
 * TEKS/Objectives**:


 * Prior Knowledge**: (Students should already have learned and understand the difference between learned and inherited traits, but a brief review may be necessary.)


 * Stated Objective**: Today you will learn about how traits and adaptations help animals surivive and thrive in their environments.

[] Using visual slowly reveal picture of two dogs/one big-one small. Ask students to respond to the following, "What does the big dog have that he would need to survive in this new world? The small dog? What does the small dog lack that might keep him from thriving in the new world?"
 * Anticipatory Set**: //Ask students a series of questions about dogs from the following link://

Discuss/intro important vocabulary from streaming segment from the lnk below (vivarium, corn snake, incubator) as you view the live footage. Direct students to read posts and comment on what they see in the vivarium. Ask, "What traits does this corn snake need to survive in its habitat? In the natural world? Will it need to adapt in any new ways to thrive in the natural world?" []
 * Input/Modeling/Check Understanding:**

Discuss/intro important vocabulary from adaptations game. (predator, reproducer, habitat, environment). Have students play the snake game under "Procedures" from the link below.

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 * Guided Practice**: Using research skills, lead students through a simple search to answer questions about the birds on page 16-17 of the attachement linked below:

Group students accordingly. Provide materials such as pencil, paper, markers, poster. Students will search using a custom Google filter to answer the following questions in their groups (You will need to have a Google account and locate the "Custon Search" link to create a search engine that will allow your kids the best access to these info needed to answer the 4 questions below): []

1. What type of bird did your group choose? 2. What kind of habitat does this bird live in? 3. What adaptations help this bird survive in its environement? 4. Write a paragraph to explain how the bird's ability to thrive may change if he lost his most important adaptation.

Give students choice as to how to document their findings. Post student results in the classroom for later presentation.

[] Students will complete the IP by logging on to [|www.blogger.com] (google account log-in info will be provided) and blogging their rationales for the answers to their questions (look for use of important vocabulary and concepts within the rationales). Closure: Restate Objective and findings.
 * Independent Practice**: Students will answer questions 1-5 on paper from the following link: