SEEd - Grade 2
Lesson Plans

Strand 2.2: LIVING THINGS AND THEIR HABITATS

Living things (plants and animals, including humans) need water, air, and resources from the land to survive and live in habitats that provide these necessities. The physical characteristics of plants and animals reflect the habitat in which they live. Animals also have modified behaviors that help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Humans sometimes mimic plant and animal adaptations to survive in their environment.

Standard 2.2.4

Design a solution to a human problem by mimicking the structure and function of plants and/or animals and how they use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Define the problem by asking questions and gathering information, convey designs through sketches, drawings, or physical models, and compare and test designs. Examples could include a human wearing a jacket to mimic the fur of an animal or a webbed foot to design a better swimming fin. (LS1.A, LS1.D, ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C)

• Beavers: Animal Habitats and Adaptations
  In this lesson, students will reflect briefly on different habitats and adaptations of animals that help them survive in those environments before diving into one specific example of animal adaptation -- the beaver. Students will learn about the behavioral and physical adaptations that help the beaver to survive and thrive in its river environment.  Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash.
• Biomimicry and Tech - 2.2.4 Lesson Plan
  Design a solution to a human problem by mimicking the structure and function of plants and/or animals and how they use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Define the problem by asking questions and gathering information, convey designs through sketches, drawings, or physical models, and compare and test designs. Examples could include a human wearing a jacket to mimic the fur of an animal or a webbed foot to design a better swimming fin.
• Build a Beaver Dam 2.2.2 & 2.2.4 - Lesson Plan
  By participating in this activity, students will:
  ? understand the benefits and problems with a human-made dam to an ecosystem
  ? understand the benefits and issues with the construction of a beaver-made dam to an ecosystem
  ? understand the adaptations and behavior of beavers in changing habitats
  ? use engineering skills to build a beaver dam
  ? understand the beneficial role beavers play in habitat construction for other animals, including people.
• Owl Pellet Dissection
  Students dissect owl pellets. After dissection, they sort the bones and glue them onto a picture of a vole skeleton.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Michelle  Berg and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Todd  Call.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.