The Process

First things first! Begin your process by reading through the following sites in order to get a better understanding of animal adaptations in general and how your specific role fits in. Take notes when you see your role mentioned.

1. Explore this page as a group to learn what animal adaptations are.

What are Animal Adaptations?
http://widgeon.com/Wilson/Grade4/Definition.html

2. Next, investigate these sites as a group in order to discover information about your individual roles and how they fit into the general topic of animal adaptations.

Animal Adaptations
http://www.students.dsu.edu/birkela/Science/animal_adaptations.htm#Anything%20that%20helps%20an%20organism%20survive%20in%20its

How Animals Survive
http://www.ves.nvusd.k12.ca.us/student/science/gr3_031.html

3. As a group, examine Dirtmeister’s Science Reporters Animal Adaptations Page. Read Section 1: Investigate the Facts. Then, click on the links at the right to see examples of how sharks, foxes, raccoons, and bears all use different types of adaptations.

Dirtmeister’s Science Reporters Animal Adaptations
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/animal/invest.htm

4. Think you understand animal adaptations? Play these games as a group to test your skills! (Make sure to read the directions before playing)

Ecokids Animal Adaptations Game
http://www.ecokidsonline.com/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm

How Animals Meet Their Needs
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/animalneeds/

5. Now go to the page for your particular role:

Professor of Protective Coloration
Specialist of Structural and Behavioral Adaptations
Master of Migration and Hibernation

6. You all should now have a better understanding about the specific roles that you play in animal adaptations. Now you’re ready to start to create your animal illustration! First, use the brainstorming web in your packet to organize your research for your drawing. Make sure to complete this page in your packet.

7. Now that you’ve done some brainstorming and the creative juices are flowing, you should start creating your illustration. Remember that the reason for this illustration is to predict the types of adaptations that the mystery animal has made to its environment. You must also write a paragraph explaining your illustration and why your group chose the adaptations that they did.

8. After completing your drawing and paragraph, it is time for the group to plan how you will present your research and predictions to the President and Congress. Remember, your group’s presentation should convince the President and his advisors that your illustration of the animals’ adaptations are correct, so be sure to justify your predictions! Use persuasive arguments!

9. You’re ready to present! Your teacher will tell you where and when you will be presenting your research and illustration to the President. Good luck!