Unit Plan
Plant and Animal Adaptations Unit Plan
This Science unit addresses the concept of plant and animal adaptations.
It consists of 8 lessons of approximately 60 minutes duration.
The sequence of lessons and suggested time frames should be regarded as a guide only; teachers should pace lessons in accordance with the individual learning needs of their class.
An inquiry-based research task, which may couple as an assessment task, is included in the unit. The number of lessons required to complete this task may vary from class to class.
Overview
Objectives
- To introduce the concepts of adaptation, evolution and genetic mutation.
- To explore the structural adaptations of plants and animals.
- To explore the behavioral adaptations of plants and animals.
- To explore the physiological adaptations of plants and animals.
- To investigate how blubber works as an insulator.
- To deepen understanding of animal adaptations through inquiry-based research.
Preparing for Learning
This Science unit provides excellent opportunities for cross-curricular integration with Literacy. Teachers may wish teach to this unit concurrently with the Writing Informative Texts Unit – Year 5 and Year 6. This will equip the students with the necessary skills to successfully complete this unit’s assessment task.
Prior to commencing the unit, create a plant and animal adaptations display in your classroom. Display word wall vocabulary and posters that will stimulate the students’ interest and assist in their learning. For examples of teaching resources to display in your classroom, browse the Plant and Animal Adaptations collection on the Teach Starter website.
Some of the resources which accompany this unit plan will need to be prepared prior to teaching. For this reason, it is advised that teachers browse through all lessons before commencing the unit.
Lessons
Resources
NSW Curriculum alignment
- ST3-1WS-S
Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions
- ST3-3DP-T
Defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions
- ST3-4LW-S
Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things
- ST3-11DI-T
Explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
- ST3-1WS-S
Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions
- ST3-3DP-T
Defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions
- ST3-4LW-S
Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things
- ST3-11DI-T
Explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCSSU073
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people's lives
- VCSIS082
With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general ru...
- VCSIS082
With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general ru...
- VCSSU074
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
- VCSSU074
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
- VCSIS084
Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
- VCSIS084
Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
- VCSIS085
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
- VCSIS085
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
- VCSIS086
Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
- VCSIS086
Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
- VCSIS088
Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships
- VCSIS088
Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACSSU043
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment
- ACSHE081
Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions
- ACSIS093
Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts
- ACSIS218
Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
- ACSIS231
With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations
- ACSIS090
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriate
- ACSIS087
Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate
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