Kim Moore
Westwood Hills Elementary
Summer 2010

You are now a Forest Ranger! Students will
investigate and understand the key concepts
of adaptations, habitats, and the influences of
human activity on our ecosystem. Students
will be assigned a native Virginia forest
animal, research, document, and report
findings by creating an animal brochure.
Students will work collaboratively within a
small group to create a PowerPoint slide that
includes a picture of their animal, its habitat,
and an adaptation.
Essential Question:
How do we survive in everyday life?
Unit Questions:
 Why are animal habitats important?
 How do certain Virginia animals live and
survive in their habitats?
 Do animals adapt to all types of habitats?
 How does human activity impact ecosystems?
Content Questions:
 What is adaptation?
 How does your native Virginia animal adapt to
it’s habitat?
 What is a survival behavior/adaptation?
 What are two behaviors of your animal?
 What does your animal need to survive?
The student will:
-learn how adaptation relates to habitats through a
project-based learning environment
-independently research an animal(internet), and
document findings on a research organizer
-write an animal report on findings using a brochure
template
-collaboratively work within a small group to create a
PowerPoint presentation
-create a slide that includes a picture of their animal, its
habitat, and an adaptation
-collaboratively share information of the animal assigned
-create a diorama of their animal and its habitat
-Design activities that will guide students to
explore and expand their knowledge of
different animal adaptations & habitats
-Adapt assessments to meet individual
needs/IEP goals
-Increase skills in order to incorporate more
technology into my lesson plans
Gauging student needs:
Teacher questioning
KWL chart to gauge prior
knowledge
Vocabulary worksheet
Ongoing assessments:
Informal observations
Research organizer
Teacher-student conferencing
Final assessments:
Animal brochure(oral report)
Power point presentation
Explore and expand student learning of different
animal adaptations and habitats using
technology to report findings
Give students a more independent role in their own
learning
Use technology to develop research and writing
skills
Students will work collaboratively to share
information about different animals and habitats
using technology and oral presentations
Any ideas to improve my unit will be greatly
appreciated.
I want to make sure my CFQ’s are incorporated
into my activities.