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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes

Adaptations to habitats

Animals and habitats

CCSS NGSS.3-LS4-3CCSS NGSS.4-LS1-1England: KS2 Y6 Evolution and inheritance

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Adaptations to habitats.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Habitats and microhabitats

Leads to: Camouflage, warning colours and mimicry; When an environment changes: move, adjust or die out; Structural, behavioural and functional adaptations

Materials: Animal picture cards, Habitat maps, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Habitats and microhabitats). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which habitat is the poison dart frog best suited to? (the ocean / the rainforest / the desert / woodland) → the rainforestPrompt: Think about where it could find food and stay at a good temperature.
  2. Woodlice are found under logs and stones. What does this microhabitat give them? (hot and dry conditions / bright sunlight / salty water / damp and dark conditions) → damp and dark conditionsPrompt: Woodlice dry out easily.
  3. Which animal lives in the ocean? (blue whale / sloth / toucan / camel) → blue whalePrompt: Think about whether each animal suits cold, heat, water or trees.

Hook · 6 min

  • Show a picture of an unusual animal and ask where it might live and how it survives there.
  • Share the objective: Adaptations to habitats. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Why do camels have wide, flat feet?
  • Step 1: Wide feet spread the camel's weight so it does not sink into sand.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: so they do not sink into soft sand
  • Answer: so they do not sink into soft sand
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. An Arctic fox's coat turns white in winter. How does this help? (It stays cooler. / It scares other foxes. / It is camouflaged against the snow. / It can swim faster.) → It is camouflaged against the snow.Prompt: What colour is the ground in winter in the Arctic?
  2. Adaptations: which statement is true? (Animals choose to grow adaptations when they need them. / A giraffe's neck grew longer because its parents stretched. / Every animal can live in every habitat. / Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals.) → Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals.Prompt: Adaptations take many generations to appear.

You do: independent practice · 17 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Adaptations: which statement is true? (Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals. / Every animal can live in every habitat. / Animals choose to grow adaptations when they need them. / A giraffe's neck grew longer because its parents stretched.) → Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals.Prompt: Adaptations take many generations to appear.
  2. Adaptations: which statement is NOT true? (Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals. / Fish have gills to take oxygen from water. / Animals choose to grow adaptations when they need them. / Some animals use camouflage to hide from predators.) → Animals choose to grow adaptations when they need them.Prompt: Can an animal decide to change its body for its babies?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Habitats and microhabitats.
  • Use concrete materials: animal picture cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Camouflage, warning colours and mimicry; When an environment changes: move, adjust or die out; Structural, behavioural and functional adaptations.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Adaptations to habitats

Name

Date

Score/ 7

  1. Question 1

    Why do camels have wide, flat feet?

    • A. so they do not sink into soft sand
    • B. to climb trees
    • C. to dig for water
    • D. to swim fast

  2. Question 2

    Adaptations: which statement is true?

    • A. Some animals use camouflage to hide from predators.
    • B. A giraffe's neck grew longer because its parents stretched.
    • C. Every animal can live in every habitat.
    • D. Animals choose to grow adaptations when they need them.

  3. Question 3

    Adaptations: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. An adaptation is a feature that helps a living thing survive in its habitat.
    • B. A giraffe's neck grew longer because its parents stretched.
    • C. Cactus spines help reduce water loss and protect it from animals.
    • D. Some animals use camouflage to hide from predators.

  4. Question 4

    Why do owls have very large eyes?

    • A. to see well at night when they hunt
    • B. to smell food
    • C. to keep warm
    • D. to look scary

  5. Question 5

    An Arctic fox's coat turns white in winter. How does this help?

    • A. It can swim faster.
    • B. It scares other foxes.
    • C. It stays cooler.
    • D. It is camouflaged against the snow.

  6. Question 6

    Why do ducks have webbed feet?

    • A. to push through water when swimming
    • B. to dig burrows
    • C. to keep their feet warm
    • D. to grip branches

  7. Question 7

    How does a polar bear's thick layer of fat help it?

    • A. It helps it breathe under water.
    • B. It makes it lighter.
    • C. It helps it see in the dark.
    • D. It keeps the bear warm.

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Answer key: Adaptations to habitats

  1. 1. A. so they do not sink into soft sand

  2. 2. A. Some animals use camouflage to hide from predators.

  3. 3. B. A giraffe's neck grew longer because its parents stretched.

  4. 4. A. to see well at night when they hunt

  5. 5. D. It is camouflaged against the snow.

  6. 6. A. to push through water when swimming

  7. 7. D. It keeps the bear warm.