Can you find me?
Students will learn about how animals use camouflage as an adaptation by participating in an inquiry-based assignment.
Essential Question
How do animals use camouflage as an adaptation?
Grade(s):
- 4
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
individual laptops
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Lesson Progression
Prior Knowledge:
Ask students the following questions:
- Why are animals certain colors?
- What is an adaptation?
- What is an example of an adaptation?
Show the slide show
- Can you find the animal?
- Ask students what they notice.
- Is it hard to see the animal?
Next, have them take notes. Focus on the camouflage aspect. (notes found in resources)
Simulation:
- M&M and skittle activity
- Students will have a mix of M&Ms and skittles. They will have a certain color to look for. They will have a certain time period to look for the M&M. If they pick up a skittle, it makes them “sick”. Have students do this several times. Have them reflect on the investigation.
- Why was it difficult to pick out the healthy choice and not the one that made you sick?
- Why would being camouflaged help animals stay safe?
- Was it easier to spot the M&M that did not have a matching skittle?
Independent Practice:
- Students will complete the camouflage Nearpod.
- They also will use the link and research other animals that use camouflage. Create a Google slide with examples of how animals use camouflage.
- Have them create a project showing the animal they choose in its natural habitat. Have them explain how the camouflage helps it blend in. Next, have them put the same animal in a different habitat. Have them explain how the animal would not fit in that environment.
- They may choose to create a model, draw a picture, create a Google Slide, allow them to be creative!
Closure FlipGrid:
Create a flip grid and have students answer the following questions:
- What is camouflage?
- Why would camouflage help an animal survive?
- Make a hypothesis: What do you think the other two types of adaptations are for animals?
Teacher Notes
The project will probably take several days since they are researching, and creating a project with the animal in two different habitats. The project is supposed to show them that animals have adaptations that help them survive in certain habitats. If they lived in a different habitat, they would have a harder time surviving.
Standards
- Life Science: Characteristics and Growth of Organisms
- 4.L.5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the structural characteristics and traits of plants and animals allow them to survive, grow, and reproduce.