JAN- FEB 2012
SCIENCE LESSON PLAN
SUBJECT SCIENCE
CLASS EXTREME
PERIOD/TIME 2 Periods/80 minutes
THEME Interactions
TOPIC Adaptations for Escaping from Predators
LEARNING OBJECTIVES The theme introduces pupils to:
 The interactions within and between systems and Man’s role in it.
 Man’s interactions and impact with his environment.
LEARNING OUTCOMES Students are able to:
 Recognise and give examples of the different adaptations in organisms.
 Understand the importance and role of adaptation in enhancing
survival.
 State the different behavioural and structural adaptations for escaping
from predators in various organisms
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL
 Introduction: National Geographic video, laptop, LCD projector, set
of speakers.
 Main Lesson : Science textbook.
 Conclusion : NGX Extreme magazine, NGX Extreme digital magazine.
SKILLS AND PROCESSES Comparing and relating.
ETHICS AND VALUES Curiosity.
Introduction(10
(10minutes)
minutes)
Introduction
Prepare a set of speakers for the lesson. Have the students view the National Geographic video found at the link :
Prepare a set of speakers for the lesson. Have the students view the National Geographic video found at the link :
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/fish-animals/bony-fish/fish_camouflage.html
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/fish-animals/bony-fish/fish_camouflage.html
Then ask the class:
Then ask the class:
Why do you think the organisms in the video camouflage themselves as plants?
Why do you think the organisms in the video camouflage themselves as plants?
These organisms camouflage themselves to escape from predators which may threaten their survival.
These organisms camouflage themselves to escape from predators which may threaten their survival.
Introduce the topic of the lesson:
Introduce the topic of the lesson:
In today’s lesson, we will learn about the various animal adaptations for escaping from predators.
In today’s lesson, we will learn about the various animal adaptations for escaping from predators.
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Main Lesson (50 minutes)
Adaptations for Escaping from Predators
An adaptation is a trait that makes an animal suited to its environment. It can be a behavioural or a structural trait. Moving in
large groups is a behavioural adaptation. It helps protect the members of the group from predators. The thick fur coat of an
arctic fox is a structural adaptation. It helps protect it against the cold weather. Adaptation happens over a long period of time.
Structural adaptation happens in the form of changing an animal’s genetic traits. In some cases, the inability of animals to
adapt quickly enough have led to their distinction or endangerment.
Behavioural adaptation can happen far more quickly.
The more intelligent an animal is the faster it can learn to make behavioural changes, in order to survive.
Animals have different adaptations to ensure survival. Many animals have developed remarkable defenses to keep
from being eaten. Grazing animals often feed in herds. When a predator attacks, the animals scatter and run in different
directions which confuses the predator and allows the animals to escape. Some animals never venture too far from their home
in underground dens or thick vegetation and can quickly hide when danger approaches. Many animals have keen senses of
sight, smell, and hearing so that they can detect danger and escape. Some animals have horns or antlers to fight off predators.
Some animals are active only at night when it is harder for predators to find them.
Many animals rely on camouflage or the ability to blend in with their surroundings to hide from predators. A few
animals are even poisonous or unpleasant-tasting, and predators soon learn to leave such animals alone. These poisonous
kinds of animals are often brightly coloured, which acts as a warning to predators. Some animals use chemicals which they
spray from various parts of their bodies to deter predators. A few animals rely on trickery and copy the defenses of other
animals to protect themselves.
Another defense mechanism is camouflage or protective coloration. One form, cryptic coloration, allows the animal to
blend in with its environment to avoid being detected. It is important to note that predators also use cryptic coloration to
avoid detection by unsuspecting prey. Trickery can also be used as a formidable defense. False features that appear to be
enormous eyes or appendages can serve to dissuade potential predators. Mimicking an animal that is dangerous to a predator
is another effective means of avoiding being eaten.
To sum it all up, the predator-prey relationship is important to maintaining balance among different animal species.
Adaptations that are beneficial to prey, such as chemical and physical defenses, ensure that the species will survive. At the
same time, predators must undergo certain adaptive changes to make finding and capturing prey less difficult. Without
predators, certain species of prey would drive other species to extinction through competition. Without prey, there would be
no predators. Thus, this relationship is vital to the existence of life as we know it.
Note: Discuss the topic of Adaptations for Escaping from Predators further with reference to the school
science textbook.
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Conclusion (20 minutes)
Have the students read the article ‘Survival Acts’ from the National Geographic Extreme Explorer magazine. Discuss the
adaptation techniques for escaping from predators of different animals in the article with reference to the topic learnt.
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