Grade 6 – Animal Adaptations
This brand new program for 2010 looks at habitat as a key part of an animal’s life, and how animals are
adapted to certain habitats. A tour of the preserve is followed by several workstations where the
students can get up close with animals and hands on with learning about adaptations.
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Activity 1 – Caribou Adaptations – Guided observation of caribou to help students understand
and distinguish between behavioural and physiological adaptations to the environment
Activity 2 – Polar Bears in the City – Students explore habitat needs by designing a polar bear
enclosure for a southern zoo.
Activity 3 – Oh Deer – Through play, students explore the essential components of a habitat and
learn how limiting factors cause animal population fluctuations; results are graphed and
reviewed.
Activity 4 – Technological “Adaptations” – Students examine everyday objects to identify how
humans have been inspired by animals when creating objects that help us adapt to different
environments.
The students end the day sat around a fire where they will learn about adaptations from a First nations
point of view, through a story.
Program Learning Goals
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Identify how animals have adapted to survive in the north. Understand how different types of
adaptations are linked to different environments.
Understand that observation and record keeping is vital to studying wildlife.
Identify common habitat needs of animals. Think about what happens to animals when habitats
are altered or changed.
Identify and describe three key components of a habitat, and describe the importance of good
habitat. Define limiting factors and recognize that fluctuations in animal populations often occur
as part of a natural cycle.
Use creative visualization and listening skills to understand how traditional First Nations
cultures, as well as, modern societies relate to animals and their environment.
Links to Prescribed Learning Outcomes in Sustainability and the Environment (BC/Yukon Curriculum):
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Analyse how different animals adapt to their environments (Science)
Assess the relationship between cultures and their environment (Social Studies)
Evaluate the effects of technology on lifestyles and the environment (Social Studies)