We have dove into our animal characteristics study! It's been so much fun! We have been discussing how animals have different external characteristics and adaptations to help them survive.
We began by talking about different kinds of feet. Students engineered a shoe sole that would not slip on a smooth or rough slope. We learned that some animals have a thumb as their adaptation which helps them grip. Students experienced what cutting and writing would be like without their thumb.
We began by talking about different kinds of feet. Students engineered a shoe sole that would not slip on a smooth or rough slope. We learned that some animals have a thumb as their adaptation which helps them grip. Students experienced what cutting and writing would be like without their thumb.
One of our favorite adaptations was camouflage. As we talked about animal coverings we learned that some animals use camouflage so not to get eaten by predators. To introduce this topic, students were told they were birds who loved colored beetles (m&ms), but the plants they hid on (candy corn) were poisonous to them. After quickly snatching a beetles they realized they didn't seem to catch very many yellow or orange. Students quickly discovered they were camouflage to protect themselves.
Next, each student hid a butterfly around the room and many were successfully hidden when an outsider came looking for them later in the day.
Students also were able to explore blubber. They experienced how blubber keeps animals like whales warm in the icy water.
Next, each student hid a butterfly around the room and many were successfully hidden when an outsider came looking for them later in the day.
Students also were able to explore blubber. They experienced how blubber keeps animals like whales warm in the icy water.
Speaking of eating, students learned about all the different kids of beaks birds have. Different birds eat different things. Students were able to explore what shape beak worked best for birds who ate fish, worms, seeds, meat, other insects, and drank nectar.