In this activity, students will choose a living thing and describe the adaptations that allow it to survive well in its environment While the example above shows three animals, the instructions given in the activity have students complete this assignment for one living thing. Feel free to adjust the instructions to have students label the adaptations of more than one animal! You may also ask students to use a poster layout instead of a single 16x9 cell, as this can provide them with additional space to create something both educational and fun. Below you will find some suggested animals, but students may select their own organism to research and label.
To scaffold this activity for your students, provide the adaptations and have them match up the adaptation to the organism. To challenge your more advanced students, have them create some additional adaptations for the organisms and get them to justify how these adaptations will be beneficial for the organism. Alternatively, get your students to research the evolutionary history of the organisms adaptations.
| Animal Adaptations | |
|---|---|
| Polar Bear |
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| Camel |
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| Orca |
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| Giraffe |
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| Cactus |
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| Barn Owl |
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(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how a living thing is adapted to its environment.
Plan a gallery walk by having each student or group display their adaptation poster or storyboard around the classroom. Students walk around, view each project, and leave positive feedback or questions on sticky notes. This boosts engagement and helps students learn from each other’s research and creativity.
Share a rubric or checklist outlining key elements: accurate labeling, clear explanations, neat visuals, and creativity. Review the rubric together before students begin so everyone knows what success looks like.
Gather a selection of books, websites, and videos about animal and plant adaptations suitable for your grade level. Model how to use these resources to find trustworthy information and cite sources as needed.
Prompt students to compare adaptations across different organisms or environments. Ask guiding questions like, “How do desert adaptations differ from arctic ones?” to deepen understanding.
Lead a brief whole-class discussion after the gallery walk. Invite students to share surprising facts or comment on adaptation strategies they found fascinating. This reinforces learning and builds presentation confidence.
Animal adaptations are special features or behaviors that help an organism survive and thrive in its environment. These adaptations can include things like body parts, coverings, or habits that improve the animal's chances of finding food, protecting itself, and reproducing.
To teach students how to identify and label animal adaptations, have them choose an organism, research its features, and use diagrams to label at least five adaptations. Guide them to explain how each adaptation helps the animal survive in its habitat.
Some easy examples include a polar bear’s thick fur for warmth, a camel’s fat-storing hump, a cactus’s waxy stem to keep water, or a giraffe’s long neck for reaching leaves. These adaptations help each animal live better in its environment.
Scaffold the lesson by providing adaptation examples for beginners to match with animals. For advanced students, challenge them to invent new adaptations or research the evolutionary history of existing ones. Adjust the activity format, such as using posters for more creative expression.
A fun activity is having students create a storyboard or poster that shows an animal and labels its adaptations. Students can research, draw, and explain how each feature helps the animal survive, making learning interactive and engaging.