LEARNING-FOCUSED Lesson Plan
Plan for the concept, topic, or skill –
Not for the class period
Learning Goals for this Lesson: 8
Days
Students will know

That when the environment

changes, differences between
individuals allow some plants and
animals to survive and reproduce
while others die and move to new
locations.
Name: 5th Grade Science
Unit 6 Adaptations LEQ 2
Topic: Chapter 9 Lessons 2 & 3
Stan SC.5.L.15.1, SC.5.L.17.1
dard
s
Students will do
Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to
survive in different environments such as life cycle variations, animal behaviors, and
physical characteristics.
Lesson Essential Question
How do adaptations help plants and animals survive?
Activating Strategy
Study Jams: Animal Adaptations and Plant Adaptations
Complete a word splash using the word “Adaptation”
Key vocabulary to preview and
vocabulary strategy
Adaptation, mutation, succession, adapt, environment, natural selection, camouflage,
instinct, extinct, structural adaptations
Lesson Instruction
Learning Activity 1
Graphic Organizer
http://www.solonschools.org/portal/exemplar/attachments
/11120081049371.doc
1)
Complete Explore it! Activity (page 372) on how plants
survive in the desert. Emphasize surface and water lose
as an adaptation.
2)
Read pages 373-377 about plant adaptations, natural
selection, Life-cycle variation, physical characteristics, and
succession allowing time in collaborative pairs to discuss
how these are adaptations that allow the plants to survive.
3)
Complete the graphic organizer (link attached) for plant
adaptations.
4)
Complete the following questions: (page 377)
1’s: Describe three adaptations that might help a plant
survive in windy environment and why that will help with
survival.
2’s Describe how adaptations help plants survive.
Have the 1’s and 2’s share their findings.
Assessment Prompt for LA 1
How do adaptations help plants survive?
Learning Activity 2
1)
Complete Explore it! Activity (page 378) on which bird beak
can crush seeds emphasize how different are adaptations
for particular environmental needs.
2)
Read pages 379-383 about animal adaptations, natural
selection, Life-cycle variation, physical characteristics, and
extinction, behavioral adaptations, and seasonal changes
allowing time in collaborative pairs to discuss how these
are adaptations that allow the plants to survive.
3)
Complete the graphic organizer (link attached) for animal
adaptations.
4)
Complete the following questions: (page 383)
1’s: Do you think the speed of a change in the environment
might affect whether or not a species becomes extinct.
2’s A hedgehog is a small mammal that is covered with
sharp spines for protection. How do the offspring of a
hedgehog benefit from this adaptation?
Have the 1’s and 2’s share their findings.
Assessment Prompt for LA 2
How do adaptations help animals survive?
Assignment
Create a plant/animal adaptations for survival book
containing the following information:
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


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Summarizing Strategy:
Ticket Out the Door
Student:
Modifications/Accommodations
REFLECTION:
Characters (select one animal and one plant).
Name your characters and draw a picture of each.
Animal Needs
Animal Adaptations
Animal Color and Shape
Animal Instincts
Plant Needs
Plant Adaptations
Unusual Plant Adaptation
Create 2 postcards to a friend or family member containing one plant and one animal describing
one major adaptation of each on the postcard.