Field Investigation: Animal Features and Adaptations

Students will observe an animal and use their observations to determine which of the animal’s features or adaptations of its external body parts help it survive, grow, and reproduce. 

 
Click on the orange links to access free educational materials: 

Lesson Plans  |  ALSDE Standards Taught
 
Activity Page #1: General Animal (or as Word Doc) 

Activity Page #2: Red Wiggler Worms (or as Word Doc) with Answer Page #2 
 
Outdoor Activity Materials:  activity pages, clipboards, pencils, magnifying glasses, and copies of field identification guides such as the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States
















 
Step 1: Engage through Discussion
     
Engage the students and capture their interests with an Interactive PowerPoint and Q&A (or as a PDF) that allows you to click through the questions and answers separately, so that you have time to discuss possible answers with your students BEFORE showing them the answer on the slide.  You can gauge your students' understanding of the topic as they answer the questions. 
Tip #1: Print and use the Q&A Info Sheet (or as Word Doc) to anticipate the next question in the Interactive Q&A and to guide the conversation with the students. 
Tip #2: To use the PowerPoint (PPT) for an interactive discussion, you must click "Slide Show" & "From Beginning" to display the questions and answers separately.

Use these tools to continue the discussion:
 
 
Step 2: Explore with Literature
   
As you read these books, you can further explore the topic and discuss your students' experiences and knowledge around the topic:
 
Animal Features:  25 Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do  by Steve Jenkins (ISBN: 978-0544233515)

What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?  by Steve Jenkins (ISBN: 978-0618997138)
YouTube Video of What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? - Read by Aloud by Mrs. James 

What if You Had Animal Eyes? by Sandra Markle (ISBN: 978-1338101089)

What if You Had Animal Feet? by Sandra Markle (ISBN: 978-0545733120)

What if You Had Animal Nose? by Sandra Markle (ISBN: 978-0545859226)

What if You Had Animal Ears? by Sandra Markle (ISBN: 978-0545859264)
CF cover opt.JPG
 
 
 
Step 3: Explain with an Educational Video
   
Use this educational video to help explain the topic in more detail:
 
Animal Adaptations YouTube Video (2:20 min) @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRX2JtKFUzk 
 
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Step 4: Elaborate with a Field Investigation in the Outdoor Classroom
 
Students apply what they have learned as they investigate the topic in your outdoor classroom and record their real-world observations on their activity page:
 
Version #1:
General Animal		 Version #2:
Red Wiggler Worms
Activity Tip:  
Version #1 - Animal Features and Adaptations: General Animal
Activity Page: PDF (as is)  /  Word Doc (editable)

Procedure
Outdoor Discovery:
  1. Have students explore the outdoor classroom until they are able to observe an animal.
  2. Next have them draw a picture of the animal on their activity page.
  3. Then have them complete the questions about the physical appearance of the animal and make predictions about how these features help the animal survive in the wild.
Indoor Discussion:
  1. Afterward, review which animals were found in the outdoor classroom.
  2. Discuss the physical features of the animals that help them survive in the wild.
  3. Discuss how the physical adaptations of animals help them survive, grow and meet their needs.
Optional Extensions:
  • Use one of the AWF's Wonders of Wildlife Webpages to review the physical and behavioral adaptations of an animal species similar to the one you found in your schoolyard habitat and outdoor classroom.
  • Use a field guide like the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeast to identify the animal species you found.
Version #2 - Animal Features and Adaptations: Red Wiggler Worm
Activity Page: PDF (as is)  /  Word Doc (editable)

Procedure
Outdoor Discovery:
  1. Have students explore the outdoor classroom to search for a Red Wiggler Earthworm.
  2. Next have them draw a picture of the earthworm on their activity page.
  3. Then have them complete the questions based on the physical appearance of the earthworm and make predictions about how these features help the earthworm survive in the wild.
Indoor Discussion:
  1. Afterward, review the physical characteristics of the Red Wiggler Earthworm and how these features help it survive in the wild.
  2. Use the AWF's Wonders of Wildlife: Red Wiggler Webpage to learn more about the Physical and Behavioral Adaptations of the Red Wiggler Worm.
  3. Discuss how the physical adaptations of animals help them survive, grow and meet their needs.
Optional Extension:
 
 
Step 5: Evaluate with an Assessment Activity
   
Review and assess the students’ observations and answers on their observation pages:
 
Evaluate the students' understanding of the topic with the following assessment tool:
 
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Questions? Contact us at oc@alabamawildlife.org. .