Design an Organism

Summary

Students will design an organism for a very unusual environment. They will then tell why it could not survive in two other unusual environments.

Materials

• 17 x 12 inch paper
• cards with descriptions of the unusual environments (see below)
• crayons or colored pencils
• student sheet (also below)

Student Prior Knowledge

Organisms can genetically adapt over time to develop traits that help them survive.

Instructional Procedures

1. Students will pick one of the eight environments provided. They should start by listing the conditions they think will be present on their worksheets.
2. Students then describe the adaptations and body plan of their organism on the data table.
3. Students draw the organism in the space provided and explain their work to others in the class either at their table or to the entire class.

Assessment Plan

Scoring Guide:

1. Students fill in data table with conditions and adaptations……………..4
2. Students make drawing of organism………………………………………4
3. Students explain the organism to others…………………………………..4

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.