Adapt or Die! Living Things Change Bodies and Behaviors to Survive Unit PDF

TITLE

Adapt or Die! Living Things Change Bodies and Behaviors to Survive Unit PDF

OVERVIEW

Students learn through reading passages, engaging media (photos, graphic organizers, video and audio clips), and a hands-on activity about fascinating structural and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals that have developed in the biodiverse habitat of the tropical rainforest.  Assessments, answer keys, Easel Activities, and teacher support are included. The high-interest rainforest theme is used to teach this NGSS-aligned life science unit. Content is engaging and helps meet nonfiction literacy requirements. 

GRADE LEVELS AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS 

This 82 page unit was created for students in grade 3, and it may also be appropriate for students in grades 2 and 4. It typically takes about 12 sessions to teach. The number of sessions depends on depth of study and the amount of time devoted to class discussion. The content and media have been designed to encourage class discussion. The timing recommendation is based on an estimate of 40 minutes per lesson for grades 3-5.

3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all

4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. 

2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

CONCEPT DETAILS

--Plant and animal structural adaptations; specific examples include camouflage (ghost mantis), sticky feet (frogs), poisons (snakes), spikes (porcupines, plants, and tarantulas), teeth, smells (Stinkbird), glue-like substances (insect-eating plant), water retention in dry seasons (orchids), and other structural adaptations 

-- Plant and animal behavioral adaptations, specific examples include posture and movement, migration (butterflies), communication (Screaming Pija, gibbons), and teamwork (leaf bugs and ants) 

-- Concepts include patterns of survival; structure and function; information processing, predator-prey relationships, and social interactions and group behavior

UNIT COMPONENTS

-- High-quality reading passages

-- Text is supplemented with rich media 

-- Brief intro video and graphic organizers summarize main concepts 

-- Assessments include summative and formative assessments with answer key

-- Teacher document details NGSS alignments 

-- Two versions (classroom and home user) of 5E hands-on activity included 

-- All pages easily printable as PDFs 

NOT YOUR PREFERRED FILE TYPE? 

This is a PDF file. An EPUB (eBook) version with audio support is also available on this site.

HOW TO USE 

The format allows for teacher-led lessons on a digital display as well as small group or individual use on computers. Students can use independently on iPads or computers for enrichment, reinforcement, or at science centers. 

NOTE TITLE DIFFERENCES WITHIN THIS PRODUCT

The title shown on the cover in the preview and upon purchase may not be the same. The cover title is the student-friendly name. The title shown on TpT has been rewritten to give educators concept information.

OTHER TYPES OF EDTECHLENS CONTENT

Single or bundled 5E and PBL hands-on activities

Primary sources such as scientist interviews and trip journals 

Media resource packs of graphic organizers and video clip collections 

Some content may have been used in other EdTechLens products. 

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