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Plant and Animal Adaptations

Unit Plan

Plant and Animal Adaptations

Objectives

In this unit, students learn about adaptations and how they support the life of plants and animals; they learn to distinguish the difference between behavioral and structural adaptations. Students will:

  • identify various behavioral and structural plant and animal adaptations in various environments and climates.

  • identify how adaptations are crucial for human life.

  • describe how adaptations secure the life of plants and animals.

Essential Questions

  • How does the variation among individuals affect their survival?

  • How do the structures and functions of living things allow them to meet their needs?

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

Formative Assessment

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    Multiple Choice Items:

    1. Which statement best describes the adaption of mimicry in an organism?

    A

    ability to jump high

    B

    ability to breathe underwater

    C

    ability to look like another organism

    D

    ability to survive without water for months

    1. Which adaptation can a wolf use to hunt for other animals?

      A

      sharp claws

      B

      hibernation

      C

      warm, thick fur

      D

      strong sense of smell

    2. Which is an example of a structural adaptation?

      A

      thick leaves

      B

      hibernation

      C

      migration

      D

      camouflage

    3. Which term best describes how an animal can blend in with its own environment?

      A

      shadowing

      B

      mimicry

      C

      camouflage

      D

      defense

    4. Which adaptation helps a polar bear survive very cold temperatures?

    A

    sharp claws

    B

    large size

    C

    white fur

    D

    warm fur
    For questions 6–9, answer True or False.

    1. When some animals hibernate during the winter, their heart rate and breathing slows down.

      A

      True

      B

      False

    2. Fish have lungs as an adaptation to obtain energy under water.

      A

      True

      B

      False

    3. Migration is a behavioral adaptation.

      A

      True

      B

      False

    4. Webbed feet are an example of a structural adaptation for water environments.

    A

    True

    B

    False

    Multiple-Choice Answer Key:

    1. C

    2. D

    3. A

    4.C

    5. D

    6. T

    7. F

    8. T

    9. T

    		  

    Short-Answer Items

    10. List three different ways animals, plants, and humans adapt to their environments.

     

    ANIMAL

    PLANT

    HUMAN
         
         
         
    11. Explain in your own words the meaning of structural and behavioral adaptation.
    Give one example of each.
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    Short-answer key and Scoring Rubrics:

    1. List three different ways animals, plants, and humans adapt to their environments.

    Points

    Description

    4

    Demonstrates clear and concise understanding (all nine responses are correct) for all three categories.

    3

    Demonstrates clear and concise understanding (6–8 responses are correct).

    2

    Demonstrates an understanding (3–5 responses are correct).

    1

    Demonstrates some understanding (1–2 responses are correct).

    0

    Demonstrates no understanding (0 responses are correct).

    1. Explain in your own words the meaning of structural and behavioral adaptation. Give one example of each.

     

    Points

    Description

    3

    • Provides definitions for structural and behavioral adaptation.

    • Provides an example of structural adaptation.

    • Provides an example of behavioral adaptation.

    2
    • Provides definitions for structural and behavioral adaptation and only shows an example of one adaptation.

    1

    • Provides definitions for structural and behavioral adaptation, but does not provide examples for both adaptations.

    • Provides examples of behavioral and structural adaptation, but does not provide either definition.

    0

    • Does not provide definitions for either structural or behavioral adaptation.

    • Does not provide examples of behavior or structural adaptation.

    Performance Assessment:

    Adaptations for Pennsylvania Forests

     

    There are many deciduous forest environments in Pennsylvania. “Deciduous” means that the trees change with the seasons. The temperature is very hot in the summer and below freezing in the winter. Sometimes there is a lot of rainfall, but other times, there is not much rain. Sunlight can reach tall plants, but the forest floor is mostly shady. Plants and animals must be adapted to survive the changes over the four seasons.

    Directions: Choose one plant and one animal that live in Pennslvania forests from the ideas that are provided below. Use books or the Internet to find out about adaptations that the plant and animal have. Complete the Adaptations for Pennsylvania Forests worksheet (see S-4-2_Performance Assessment and KEY in the Resources folder).

    Possible Sources:

    Deciduous Forest

    www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm

    Animal and plant adaptations in the deciduous forest

    www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/dforestA.html

DRAFT 11/16/2010
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