Project G.L.A.D.
Kelli Richardson and Jocelyn Mitchelmore
Incorporating Houghton Mifflin Series
Animal Adaptations
(Level 3)
IDEA PAGES
I.
UNIT THEME
Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an
organism’s chance for survival
All living things are classified into a kingdom, phylum and class
Different animals/habitats are found throughout the world
II.
FOCUS/MOTIVATION
 Inquiry Chart
 Tree of life-Animal Kingdom
 Teacher made big book
 Observation Charts
 Realia
 Field Trip(s)
 Guest speaker(s)
 Poetry
 Read Alouds
 Videos, movies, & filmstrips/animals and their habitats
III.
CLOSURE
 On-going assessment
 Share team tasks
 Compare/Contrast essay to rubric
 Important Big Book (student generated)
 Sharing Individual Poetry
 Songs (student generated)
 Personal Exploration
 Portfolio/Learning Logs
 Process all charts and learning
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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IV.
CONCEPTS
Life Sciences (California Standards)
Grade 3
3. Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an
organism’s chance for survival. As a basis for understanding this
concept:
a. Students know plants and animals have structures that serve
different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.
b. Students know examples of diverse life forms in different
environments, such as oceans, deserts, tundra, forests, grasslands,
and wetlands. c. Students know living things cause changes in the
environment in which they live: some of these changes are detrimental
to the organism or other organisms, and some are beneficial.
d. Students know when the environment changes, some plants and
animals survive and reproduce; others die or move to new locations.
e. Students know that some kinds of organisms that once lived on
Earth have completely disappeared and that some of those resembled
others that are alive today.
History/Social Studies
Grade 3
3.1 Students describe the physical and human geography and use
maps, tables, graphs, photographs, and charts to organize
information about people, places and environments in a spatial
context by:
1. Identifying geographical features found in their local region (e.g.,
deserts, mountains, valleys, hills, coastal areas, oceans, lakes).
2. Tracing the ways in which people have used the resources of the
local region and
modified the physical environment (e.g., a dam constructed
upstream changed a
river or coastline).
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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V.
VOCABULARY
Classification
Kingdom
-Animalia
Phylum
-Mollusca
-Annelida
-Cnidaria
- Arthropoda
-Porifera
-Echinodermata
Class
-Mammalia
-Reptilia
-Aves
-Ostaichthyes
-Amphibia
vertebrate
invertebrate
behavioral adaptation
physical adaptation
habitat/environment
-ocean
-rainforest
-desert
-tundra
-grassland
VI.
Harbor Seal
blubber
molt
waterproof
closeable ears
closeable nostrils
hindflipper
“haul out”
Poison Dart Frog
foreflipper
vibrissae
Pinniped
carnivores
crustaceans
ORAL LANGUAGE/READING/WRITING SKILLS - ELA and ELD
Reading (ELA Standards) – Grade 3
1.0 Word Analysis (ELA Standards)
1.1 Know and use complex word families when reading to decode
unfamiliar words (ight).
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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1.2 Decode regular multi-syllabic words.
1.3 Reads aloud from narrative and expository.
1.4 Use knowledge of antonyms, synonyms, homophones, and
homographs
for meaning of word.
1.5 Grade- appropriate words and importance of these relations
(dog/mammal/animal/living things).
1.6 Use sentence and word in context for meaning.
1.7 Use of dictionary for meaning and other features.
1.8 Use of knowledge of prefixes (un-, re-) and suffixes (-er, est,) for meaning of words.
2.0 Reading Comprehension (ELA)
2.1 Use of titles, tables of contents, chapter headings,
glossaries, and indexes to locate information.
2.2 Ask questions and support answers by using prior knowledge
with information found in text.
2.3 Demonstrate comprehension by identifying answers in text.
2.4 Recall major points in text, make and modify predictions.
2.5 Distinguish main idea, supporting details in expository text.
2.6 Extract appropriate, significant information from text
(problems/solutions)
2.7 Follow simple multiple-step written instructions (assemble
product/play board game).
3.0 Literary Response and Analysis (ELA Standards)
3.1 Distinguish common forms of literature (poetry, drama,
fiction, nonfiction).
3.2 Comprehend basic plots of legends/fables/folktales/fairy
tales/myths from around world.
3.3 Determine what characters are like by what they say or do
(view of author or illustrator).
3.4 Determine underlying theme or author’s message
(fiction/nonfiction).
3.5 Recognize similarities of sounds in words and rhythmic
patterns (alliteration).
3.6 Identify speaker or narrator
Writing (ELA Standards)
1.0 Writing strategies (ELA Standards)
1.1 Create paragraph, develop topic sentence, supporting facts,
and details.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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1.2 Write legibly in cursive/joined italic.
1.3 Understand structure and organization of various reference
materials.
1.4 Revise drafts to improve coherence and logical progression
of ideas.
2.0 Application (ELA Standards)
2.1 Write narrative.
2.2 Write descriptions.
2.3 Write personal and formal letters, thank-you notes,
invitations
Written and Oral Conventions (ELA Standards).
1.1 Understand and use declarative, interrogative, imperative,
and exclamatory sentences in writing and speaking.
1.2 Identify subjects, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, compound
words, articles.
1.3 Identify and use past, present, future verb tenses.
1.4 Identify and use subjects, verbs in speaking, writing simple
sentences.
1.5 Punctuate dates, city, state, titles of books.
1.6 Use commas in dates, locations, addresses, and for items in
a series.
1.7 Capitalize geographical names, holidays, historical periods,
special events.
1.8 Spell one-syllable words that have blends, contractions,
compounds, orthographic patterns (qu, y to ies), common
homophones (hair, hare).
1.9 Arrange words in Alphabetical order
Listening and Speaking (ELD Standards) - Grade 3
Beginning:
 Begins to speak 1-2 words
 Answers in 1-2 word responses
 Retells familiar stories
 Uses common greetings
Early Intermediate:
 Speaks inconsistent grammar
 Communicates basic needs
 Ask and answers with simple sentences
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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Recites familiar rhymes, songs, simple stories
 Orally identifies main idea from story read aloud
Intermediate:
 Speaks consistent grammar forms and sounds
 Participates in social conversations
 Uses descriptive words and paraphrasing
 Listens and identifies key detail; both verbal and nonverbal
 Ask and answers with some supporting elements
Early Advanced:
 Is understood when speaking, fairly consistent grammar; has some
errors
 Social conversations on unfamiliar topics consistent of questions,
restating
 Uses simple figurative idiomatic expressions
 Ask and answers instructional questions with more supporting
elements
 Identifies main points and supporting details to topics of content
area
Advanced:
 Identifies main ideas and supporting details to stories and
subjects
 Negotiates and initiates conversations with questions and restating
 Responds to and uses idioms
 Negotiates and initiates social conversations
 Identifies main idea, point of view, fact/fiction of broadcast, print
media

Reading Word Analysis (ELD Standards)
Beginning:
 Recognize English phonemes
 Recognize sound/symbol relationship
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Early Intermediate:
 Recognize common English morphemes in phrases, simple sentences
 Recognize and produce English phonemes while reading
Intermediate:
 Pronounce most English phonemes correctly while reading aloud
 Use common English morphemes in oral and silent reading
Early Advanced:
 Apply knowledge of common English morphemes in oral/silent
reading to
derive meaning
Advanced:
 Apply knowledge of word relationships, roots, affixes, to derive
meaning
Fluency and systematic Vocabulary Development (ELD
Standards)
Beginning:
 Real aloud simple words in stories or games
 Demonstrate comprehension of simple vocabulary with appropriate
action
 Respond with short answers in social/academic settings
 Produces simple vocabulary for basic communication needs
social/academic
 Simply retells stories using drawings, words, or phrases
Early Intermediate:
 Reads simple words, phrases, and sentences
 Reads own writing of narrative or expository aloud with some
fluency
 Uses background knowledge to predict meaning
 Self-corrects some while reading aloud or speaking
 Uses morphemes, phonics, syntax for meaning of words in simple
sentences
Intermediate:
 Reads grade appropriate text aloud with fluency and expression
 Demonstrates internalization of English by recognizing and selfcorrecting in speaking and reading aloud
 Uses content related vocabulary in discussions and reading
 Uses decoding, knowledge of vocabulary to interpret meaning in
written text
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Creates a simple dictionary of frequently used words
 Recognizes some common roots/affixes with familiar vocabulary
Early Advanced:
 Increasingly reads complex texts aloud with expression
 Uses background knowledge for decoding social/academic
vocabulary
 Uses knowledge of English, morphemes, phonics, syntax to decode
unfamiliar words
 Uses standard dictionary for familiar words
 Uses common roots/affixes with familiar words
 Recognizes multiple meaning words in text
 Recognizes analogies/metaphors text
 Uses some common idioms
Advanced:
 Reads narrative and expository texts aloud with expression
 Applies knowledge of academic/social vocabulary for independent
reading
 Uses standard dictionary for unknown words

Reading Comprehension (ELD Standards)
Beginning:
 Identify basic sequences of events in stories read to them, using
key words or pictures
 Orally identify relationships between simple text read to them and
their own experience using key words and or phrases
Early Intermediate:
 Orally identify the basic sequence of written text using simple
sentences
 Understand and follow simple two-step directions of classroom or
work on related activities
Intermediate:
 Use detailed sentences to orally respond to comprehension
questions about written text
Advanced:
 Identify significant structural (organizational) patterns in text,
such as compare/contrast, sequence/chronological order, and cause
and effect
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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
Use resources in the text (such as ideas, illustrations, titles, etc.)
to draw inferences, conclusions, and to make generalizations
ELD standards-Reading Literary Response and Analysis
Beginning
Listen to a story and respond orally by answering factual
comprehension questions by using one or two word responses.
 Orally identify different characters and settings in simple literary
texts using words or phrases.
Intermediate
 Read and orally identify main events of the plot, the setting, and a
character using simple sentences.
Early Advanced/Advanced
 Read and identify genres such as a legend.

ELD standards-Writing
Beginning
Use models to write short narratives.
 During group writing activities, write brief narratives and stories
using a few standard grammatical forms.
 Create simple sentences or phrases with some assistance.
Intermediate
 Narrate a sequence of events with some details.
 Model use of all steps of the writing process.
Early Advanced/Advanced
 Produce independent writing with consistent use of correct
capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
 Use correct parts of speech, including correct subject/verb
agreement.
 Editing skills.
 Sentence building, oral and written.

MATH/SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS
 Observing, comparing, communicating, organizing information
 Information and research skills
 Use of maps and globes
 Critical thinking
 Interpreting and using charts and graphs
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
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Realia
Reading of primary sources
VIII. RESOURCES AND MATERIALS
Non-Fiction
Houghton Mifflin Reading Series/Grade 3-The Seal Surfer
Web Sites
www.seaworld.org
www.bushgardens.org
http://www.enchantedlearning.com
http://www.perspective.com/nature/anamalia
http://www.waynesword.palomar.edu
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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Project G.L.A.D.
Kelli Richardson and Jocelyn Mitchelmore
Incorporating Houghton Mifflin Series
Animal Adaptations
Grade 3
UNIT PLANNING PAGES
I.
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II.
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III.
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FOCUS/MOTIVATION
Inquiry Charts
Realia
Picture file cards
Field Trip(s)
Poetry, Chants, and Raps
Teacher made big book
Guest speaker(s)
Reinforcers with vocabulary
Cognitive Content Dictionary with signal words
Observation Charts
Videos
Read Alouds
INPUT
Graphic Organizer- Tree of Life-Kingdom Animalia
Pictorial-Harbor Seal
Narrative Input – The Seal Surfer by Michael Foreman/Houghton
Mifflin (Theme 4)
Teacher generated big book
Read Alouds
GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE
Poetry, Raps, Songs, Chants
Picture File Cards
Group Predicting
T-graph for social skills
Sentence Patterning Chart/Farmer-in-the-Dell
Cooperative Strip Paragraph
Expert Groups: Harbor Seal, Poison Dart Frog ,Camel, Snowy Owl,
Red Kangaroo
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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IV.
Mind Map
Process Grid
#”d heads together
Pocket Poetry
Retelling Narrative
Primary Language Groups
Vocabulary matching on pictorial
READING/WRITING
A. Total Class
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B.
Poetry frame/Here,There
Highlighting words
Found Poetry
Cooperative strip paragraph with responding, revising, and
editing (use pocket chart)
Cognitive Content Dictionary (CCD)
Conversion Bubbles
Story Map
Narrative
Flip Chants
Small Group Practice
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Ear-to-ear reading with partner
Flexible group reading
Focused reading
Team Tasks
Expert groups
Labeling of charts
Read the Walls
Found Poetry
Reader’s Theater
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Individual
Learning Logs
Interactive Journals
Home School Connection
C.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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 Individual Tasks/Portofolio
 Reading/Writing Workshop
-Mini Lessons,
- Conferencing
-Author’s Chair
V.
Extended Activities for Integration
Art-stuffed animals
Puppets
Environmental Posters-Protecting our Earth
Dioramas
Multiples intelligence presentation
VI.
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Closure/Evaluation
Art
Team Presentations
Assessment-Teacher and Student Made
Process all charts
Important Big Book (student generated)
Parent Visitation
Sharing Individual Poetry
Portfolio/Learning Logs
Expository Writing
Narrative Writing
Poem (student generated)
Parent letter
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptations
(Level 3)
SAMPLE DAILY LESSON PLAN
Day 1
FOCUS/MOTIVATION
 Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word
 Personal Standards-set expectations
 Super Scientist Awards-Ecologist
 Observation Charts
 Realia
 Inquiry Chart
 Teacher Made Big Book
INPUT
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Graphic Organizer Input Chart –Tree of Life/Kingdom Animalia
10/2
Primary Language
ELD Review
Learning Log
GUIDED
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ORAL PRACTICE
T-graph on cooperation
Picture File Activity
Exploration Report
Poetry/Chants
INPUT
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Pictorial-Harbor Seal
Reading/Writing
Flexible Reading Groups
-Team Tasks
CLOSURE
 Interactive Journal
 Process Inquiry Chart
 Home/School Connection
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Day 2
FOCUS/MOTIVATION
 Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word
 Process Home/School Connection
GUIDED ORAL PRACTICE
 Review with words cards –Harbor Seal
 Poetry/Chants-Highlight
INPUT
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Narrative Input-The Seal Surfer-Houghton Mifflin series
READING/WRITING
 Flexible Grouping
-Expert Groups
-Team Tasks
 Writer’s Workshop
-Mini-lesson, Author’s Chair
CLOSURE
 Interactive Journal
 Read Aloud
 Process charts/poems
 Home/School Connection
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Day 3
FOCUS/MOTIVATION
 Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word
 Share Home/School connection
 Highlight Poetry/Chants (add pictures and sketches)
Guided Oral Practice
 Review Narrative Input Chart with word cards/conversation
bubbles
 Sentence Patterning Chart (Farmer in the Dell)
-Reading Game
-Trading Game
-Flip Chant
READING/WRITING
 Flexible Grouping-Expert Groups
-Team Tasks
Guided Oral Practive
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Mind Map
Process Grid
Reading/Writing
 Cooperative Strip Paragraph
-respond, revise, edit
 Writer’s Workship
-mini-lesson
-write
-author’s chait
CLOSURE
 Process Charts
 Interactive Journals
 Home/School Connection
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Day 4
FOCUS/MOTIVATION
 Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word
 Process Home/School Connection
 Process Charts
 Review Narrative with Story Map
Guided Oral Practice
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Revisit T-Graph
Strip Book
Reading/Writing
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Flexible Group Reading
-Leveled Groups
-Team Tasks
-ELD/Group Frame
-At or above with clunkers and links
Writer’s Workshop
-Mini-lesson, write, author’s chair
CLOSURE
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Process charts
Poetry
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Day 5
Focus/Motivation
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Cognitive Content Dictionary with Signal Word
Process Home/School Connection
Read-Aloud
Guided Oral Practice
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Poetry/Chants-Highlight
Team Evaluations
Reading/Writing
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Ear to Ear reading with a partner
Focused Reading with personal Cognitive Content
Dictionary
Flexible grouping - Struggling readers/emergent-Coop
Strip Paragraph
Team Tasks
Writer’s Workshop
-Mini-lesson, write, author’s chair
Closure
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Team Presentations
Process Charts
Assessment/Multiple Choice Quiz
Process Inquiry Chart
Evaluate Week
Ecologist Awards/Certificates
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Scientist Notebook
Scientist Notebook
Scientist Notebook
Scientist Notebook
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Ecologist- A scientist who studies the relationship
between organisms and their environment
Ecologist- A scientist who studies the relationship
between organisms and their environment
Ecologist- A scientist who studies the relationship
between organisms and their environment
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Teacher-made Big Book Text
The following text is placed at the top and
bottom of each big book page.
Changes are happening around the world.
Animals are adapting in physical and
behavioral ways, in order to survive in
their habitat.
Changes are happening around the world.
Changes are happening around the world.
Animals are adapting in physical and
behavioral ways, in order to survive in
their habitat.
Changes are happening around the world.
- repetitive text
Font- Comic Sans, size 24 for repetitive text
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Changes Are Happening
Around The World!
Animal Adaptation
Compiled by Kelli Richardson
Page A -Big Book Title Page
Language Arts Standard 2.1- Structural Features of Informational Materials
Use titles, table of contents, chapter headings, glossaries, and indexes to locate
information in text.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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Table of Contents
Page 1- What is an Ecologist?
Page 2- Life in the Ocean
Page 3- Life in the Desert
Page 4- Life in the Rainforest
Page 5- Life in the Tundra
Page 6- Life in the Grasslands
Page B
Language Arts Standard 2.1- Structural Features of Informational Materials
Use titles, table of contents, chapter headings, glossaries, and indexes to locate
information in text.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Life in the Ocean
Oceans are incredible habitats! There are 5
oceans in the world: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian,
Arctic, and the newly discovered Southern Ocean.
Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface.
The oceans contain 97% of the Earth’s water
supply. The ocean is home to an incredibly diverse
web of life. A wide variety of plants and animals
live in the ocean. Fish, sharks, whales, sea horses
and dolphins are just a few of the fascinating
animals that inhabit the ocean.
The Harbor Seal is a marine mammal that
spends most of its life in the sea. They also
enjoy sunbathing on the rocks or beach. Harbor
seals have wide hind flippers, which allow them
to swim swiftly. The Harbor Seal also has
closeable nostrils and ears, which helps it to
swim under the water for more than 20 minutes
at a time. The Harbor Seal assumes a position
called bottling, which allows it to sleep in the
water, and still be able to breathe.
Page 2
Font-Comic Sans, size 20 for Big Book text
Chapter/Sub Heading- size 36
Pages 2-6 Science standards 3a.- Students know plants and animals have structures that
serve different functions in growth, survival and reproduction.
3.b Students know examples of diverse life forms in different environments
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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Life in the Desert
Deserts cover about one-fifth (20 percent) of
the Earth’s land area. The desert is a harsh
environment with very little rainfall and extreme
temperatures. Deserts are very dry regions with
limited plant and animal life. Rattle snakes, big
horn sheep, scorpions, and tortoises are just some
of the animals which inhabit the desert. Many
desert animals have adaptations to cope with the
extreme heat, lack of water and shortage of food.
Many desert animals are nocturnal. They hide in
the shade during the day, and emerge at night to
eat.
The camel has many physical adaptations.
An Arabian Camel or Dromedary, has one hump
which contains fat. The camel has a special
adaptation in its digestive system which allows it
to turn the fat in the hump into moisture. The
camel can go without food or water for 3-4 days.
Camels have nostrils that can open and close. They
also have long eyelashes and an extra eyelid to
protect the eyes from sand.
Page 3
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
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Life in the Tropical Rainforest
Rainforests are very dense, warm, wet forests.
Millions of plants and animals live in the
rainforests. Different animals live in specific
layers of the rainforest. In the Emergent Layer,
there are many giant trees which house numerous
birds and insects. In the upper part of the trees,
or Canopy, this leafy environment is home to
insects, birds such as the Toucan, the Three-Toed
Sloth, and the Howler Monkey. The Understory is a
dark, cool environment under the leaves, but over
the ground. Jaguars, Kinkajous, arachnids, and
snakes spend lots of time in the Understory. Many
insects and large animals like gorillas, anteaters,
and tapirs live on the Forest Floor.
The Poison Dart Frog also lives in the tropical
rainforests of South and Central America. These
frogs have extremely poisonous skin. They have
glands in the skin that produce extremely strong
toxins. Their brightly colored skin warns predators
that they are poisonous. Once a predator has even
licked a Poison Dart Frog, it gets very sick and will
never try to eat one again. This physical adaptation
helps protect the frogs from their predators.
Page 4
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Life in the Tundra
The tundra is a cold, treeless, area. It is
characterized by very low temperatures and very
little precipitation (rain or snow). There are two
types of tundra; arctic tundra and alpine tundra.
Arctic tundras are frozen, windy, desert-like plains
in the Arctic that are dotted with bogs and ponds.
Animals such as Arctic foxes, polar bears and
snowy owls live in the Arctic tundra.
Snowy Owls are large, white owls that have
dense feathers all the way to its toes, which
provide insulation against the cold. The Snowy Owl
has curved, sharp claws to stab and hold prey. It
also has a short, hooked beak for tearing prey.
These adaptations help it to survive in the tundra.
Alpine tundras are located high in mountains
worldwide, above the treeline. Animals such as elk,
mountain goats, birds and insects live in the Alpine
tundra.
Page 5
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Life in the Grasslands
A grassland is a grassy, windy, partly-dry
environment, a sea of grass. Almost one-fourth of
the Earth’s land area is grassland. There are many
different words for grassland areas around the
world, including savannas, pampas, campos, plains,
steppes and prairies. There are two types of
grasslands; tropical and temperate grasslands. The
tropical grassland is hot all year with wet seasons
that bring torrential rains. The temperate
grasslands have hot summers and cold winters.
Animals that live in the grasslands have
adapted to dry, windy conditions. There are
grazing animals that eat the grass, and burrowing
animals that dig underground.
The Red Kangaroo is a common marsupial that
lives on the grasslands of Australia. Kangaroos
have large, powerful legs and a strong, muscular
tail to help it hop up to 40 miles per hour. A
kangaroo can go over 30 feet in one hop. The
females have a pouch in which the young live and
drink milk. As long as kangaroos have access to
green plants, they can draw moisture out of their
food and go long periods of time without water.
Page 6
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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What is an Ecologist?
An ecologist is a scientist who studies about
the relationship between organisms and their
environment. Ecologists study numerous plants and
animals, and how they interact, affect, and relate
to each other. Ecologists observe in labs as well as
out in nature such as in forests, oceans, deserts,
and a variety of environments. Ecologists work
hard to protect and improve our world.
Page 7
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Poetry
Booklet
Name________________________
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
34
Habitats Here, Habitats There
Habitats here, habitats there,
Habitats, habitats, everywhere!
Vast tundras freezing,
Scorching deserts burning,
Windy grasslands blowing,
And powerful oceans swirling.
Habitats in Europe, Africa, Australia and
Asia,
Habitats throughout North and South
America
And Antarctica,
Habitats in the oceans,
And habitats all around the world!
Habitats here, habitats there,
Habitats, habitats everywhere!
Habitats! Habitats! Habitats!
Written by Kelli Richardson
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
35
I Know a Meat-Munching Marine Mammal
I know a meat-munching, marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching, marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching, marine mammal,
That lives in the North Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans.
With closeable nostrils and ears,
Thick, short fur and whiskers,
Swallowing crustaceans and fish,
And swimming swiftly to and fro!
I know a meat-munching, marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching, marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching marine mammal,
That’s called a Harbor Seal!
Kelli Richardson
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
36
Ecologist Bugaloo
I’m an ecologist and I’m here to say,
I study about habitats everyday!
Sometimes I study deserts or the ocean blue,
The tundra, rainforest, and grasslands, WHEW!
Plants, animals, environments, too,
Doing the ecologist bugaloo!
A place where animals live and grow,
Is called a habitat, as you may know.
Organisms that together thrive,
Are interdependent and survive.
Plants, animals, environments, too,
Doing the ecologist bugaloo!
Organisms are living things,
That learn to adapt to what nature brings.
Heat, sunlight, shelter, shade,
Are often studied and surveyed.
Plants, animals, environments too,
Doing the ecologist bugaloo!
Adapted by Rima Haroun, Diane Shimoda, and Kelli Richardson
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
37
I Can Spell Chant
I can spell owl
I can spell frog
I can spell seal
o-w-l
f-r-o-g
s-e-a-l
But, I can’t spell ecologist!
I can spell habitat
I can spell tundra
I can spell desert
h-a-b-i-t-a-t
t-u-n-d-r-a
d-e-s-e-r-t
But, I can’t spell ecologist!
I can spell ocean
I can spell forest
I can spell grasslands
o-c-e-a-n
f-o-r-e-s-t
g-r-a-s-s-l-a-n-d-s
But, I can’t spell ecologist!
Yes, I can! Yes, I can!
E-CO-LO-GIST…ecologist!
Kelli Richardson
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
38
Adaptation Cadence
Yes, we know, so we can say,
Living things change everyday!
Animals adapt physically,
Change in structure or body.
Adapting behavior in order to thrive,
To reproduce and to survive.
Habitats and weather are modified,
Animals adapt or they will die.
Rather than make an adaptation,
Animals move to a new location.
Treat animals and nature respectfully,
We love studying ecology!
Sound off-
Physical
Sound off-
Behavioral
1, 2, 3, 4 -
Changes!
Kelli Richardson
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
39
I Know a Meat-Munching Marine
Mammal
I know a meat-munching, marine
mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching,
marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching,
marine mammal,
That lives in the North Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans.
With closeable nostrils and ears,
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
40
Thick, short fur and whiskers,
Swallowing crustaceans and fish,
And swimming swiftly to and fro!
I know a meat-munching, marine
mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching,
marine mammal,
A marvelous, meat-munching
marine mammal,
That’s called a Harbor Seal!
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
41
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
42
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
43
Animal Adaptation
Expert Group-The Poison Arrow Frog
Animal Name and Classification
The Poison Arrow Frog, also known as the
Poison Dart Frog, is a very interesting amphibian.
It is classified as Kingdom Animalia, Phylum
Chordata, and Class Amphibia.
Habitat/Environment
Poison Arrow Frogs live in tropical rainforests
throughout South and Central America as well as
the island of Madagascar. They typically live on the
floor of the tropical rainforest.
Diet
Poison Arrow Frogs eat insects such as ants,
termites, flies, and small beetles. They eat spiders
and insects, catching them with their long, sticky
tongues.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
44
Physical Adaptations
The Poison Arrow Frog has brightly colored
skin. These bright colors earn predators that they
are poisonous. The poison oozes out of their skin.
This “sweat” is very deadly.
Behavioral Adaptations
The Poison Arrow Frog jumps swiftly in order
to escape from predators.
Interesting Facts
The Poison Arrow Frog is the size of a raisin
when it is born. When the frog becomes an adult
frog, it is les than 1 inch long. The adult frog can
sit on a dime.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
45
Expert Group – The Red Kangaroo
Animal Name and Classification
The Red Kangaroo is an extraordinary animal.
It is classified as Kingdom Animalia, Phylum
Chordata, and Class Mammalia. The Red Kangaroo is
one of the largest marsupials on Earth. A marsupial
is an animal whose babies develop inside a pocketlike pouch.
Habitat/Environment
The Red Kangaroo lives in the plains and dry
grasslands of Australia. They do not live on any
other continent, only in Australia.
Diet
Red Kangaroos are herbivores (plant-eaters).
They eat grass, leaves, and roots. They swallow
their food without chewing it and later regurgitate
a cud (a wad of food) and chew it.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
46
Physical Adaptations
Red Kangaroos have extremely large, powerful
legs, in order to hop up to 29 feet in distance and
6 feet high. They have a long, muscular tail which
helps them to balance.
Female kangaroos have a pouch in which their
young live and drink.
Behavioral Adaptations
The Red Kangaroo is nocturnal which means
that it is most active at night. If they have access
to green plants, kangaroos are able to go long
periods of time without water. They are able to
draw enough moisture out of their food to survive.
Kangaroos dig shallow holes in the dirt in order to
stay cool and get out of the sun.
Interesting Facts
A baby kangaroo is called a joey. The joey is
born hairless and blind. Immediately after birth,
the baby crawls into the mother’s pouch. It spends
about 225 days eating, sleeping and growing until it
is ready to leave the pouch.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
47
Expert Group- The Snowy Owl
Animal Name and Classification
The Snowy Owl is an amazing animal. It is
classified as Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata,
and Class Aves. The Snowy Owl is diurnal which
means it is most active during the day.
Habitat/Environment
The Snowy Owl lives in the tundra of North
America. Do you know where the tundra is located?
Diet
Snowy owls are carnivores (meat-eaters) who
are amazing hunters. Snowy owls hunt and eat small
rodents. They also eat rabbits and large birds like
ducks and geese.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
48
Physical Adaptations
Snowy owls have yellow eyes and excellent
vision. Owls cannot move their eyes within their
sockets like we can. In order to look around, they
have to move their entire head. Owls have a large
head and large eyes that face forward (unlike
other birds, whose eyes are on the sides of their
head). The location of their eyes gives them
excellent, long distance vision.
Behavioral Adaptations
The Snowy Owl can easily sneak up and
surprise its prey because of the fluffy feathers on
its body. All the feathers make the owl fly in
almost complete silence. They typically catch their
food in the daylight.
Interesting Facts
The snowy owl is 20 to 27 inches long and
weighs 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. Snowy owls are almost all
white with scattered dark spots. Males and
females are similar, but the male is white.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
49
Expert Group- The Arabian Camel or Dromedary
Animal Name and Classification
The Arabian Camel is a fascinating animal. It is
classified as Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata
and Class Mammalia. The Arabian Camel or
Dromedary can weigh up to 1,350 pounds.
Habitat/Environment
The Arabian Camel lives in the hot deserts of
North Africa and the Middle East. The camel can
go up to 3-4 days without water in the hot, hot
desert.
Diet
The Arabian Camel is an herbivore (plant
eater). Most camels are domesticated and are fed
by people. They like to eat dates, oats, plants, and
wheat.
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
50
Physical Adaptations
Camels have nostrils that can open and close so
sand does not get into the nose. Its eyes are large
and they have long eyelashes and an extra eyelid to
protect their eyes from sand. The camel’s ears are
small and very hairy which also protects it from
the blowing sand.
Behavioral Adaptations
Arabian Camels have one hump in which fat is
stored. When food is scarce, the extra fat
storage helps nourish the camel. Their mouth is
extremely tough, allowing camels to eat thorny
desert plants. The Arabian Camel has long, thin
legs which helps keep the camel cooler. The longer
the legs, the larger the animal is. Therefore, they
have a larger body surface in which heat can
escape.
Interesting Facts
An Arabian Camel can weight up to 1,350
pounds and be up to 7 feet tall (at the hump). They
weigh 80 pounds at birth!
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Animals
Classification
Habitat/
Environment
Diet
Physical
Adaptations
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
Behavioral
Adaptations
Interesting
Facts
53
Animal Adaptation Quiz-
Name_____________________________
Circle the letter with the best answer.
1.
A scientist who studies living things such as plants and animals is called
a.
a geologist
b.
an ecologist
c.
a paleontologist
d.
none of the above
2.
An adaptation is
a.
an animal
b.
a plant
c.
a scientist
d.
a physical or behavioral change
3.
A place where an animal lives is called its
a.
diet
b.
physical features
c.
habitat
d.
behavior
4.
The Harbor Seal has the following physical adaptations:
a.
closeable nostrils
b.
closeable ears
c.
blubber
d.
all of the above
5.
Harbor Seals live in
a.
ponds
b.
streams
c.
the Pacific Ocean
d.
rivers
6.
Which physical adaptation allows the seal’s fur to become waterproof?
a.
closeable ears
b.
oil from the skin
c.
flippers
d.
eyes
7.
The playful, blubbery seals swim swiftly under the sea.
In the sentence above, under the sea is what part of speech?
a.
b.
c.
d.
noun
prepositional phrase
adjective
adverb
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
54
8.
Which part of speech is the action word such as swims, eats, and plays?
a.
verb
b.
adjective
c.
adverb
d.
noun
9.
Which word is an example of an adverb?
a.
seals
b.
on the rocks
c.
quickly
d.
none of the above
10.
Cooperation means to
a.
work together
b.
show respect
c.
make good decisions and solve problems
d.
all of the above
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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Story Map
Title ______________________________
Setting(ELA 3.2)
Genre(ELA 3.1)
Identify Speaker
or Narrator
(ELA 3.6)
Characters(ELA 3.3)
Character Traits
Evidence/How do we know? (What do the characters say or do?) (ELA 3.3)
Plot (ELA 3.2)
Resolution/Underlying theme (Moral or author’s message) (ELA 3.4)
Animal Adaptation-Grade 3- California
Jocelyn Mitchelmore and Kelli Richardson - Project G.L.A.D (10/06 JB)
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