Animal Adaptations and Ecosystems

Traverse tricky terrain, shake claws with lobsters and design ecosystems in this life science enrichment program. Exploring the globe, learners discover the diversity of animal adaptations, the differences in habitats and what’s necessary for each biome’s survival through hands-on STEM activities. They’ll travel from the sands of the Sahara to the peaks of the Himalayas, investigating complex creatures as they build models of each animal, focusing-in on the biological diversity that makes them special. Through creative thinking, collaboration and multi-subject integration, BrickLAB Zoo fosters a unique bond to the Earth’s biospheres and the vital roles animals play in them.

Grades: 1-3
Students: Up to 30
Contact Hours: 12+

Subject Targets:

Life Science, Engineering Design, Math Connections, English Language Arts Connections

Recommended Settings:

• Summer camps
• Elementary classrooms
• After-school programs

Each Activity Includes:

• Opening & Closing Discussion
• Optional Intro Activity
• Step-By-Step Build Instructions
• Engineering Challenge
• Optional Math & English Language Arts Extensions
• Materials List
  

Curriculum Topics:

1. The Camel
2. The Lizard
3. The Lobster
4. The Shark
5. The Crocodile
6. The Monkey
7. The Yak
8. The Puma (Mountain Lion)
9. The Giraffe
10. The African (Savanna) Elephant
11. Brick Zoo
12. Original Adaptations

Reusability and Expansion:

• 100% Reusable: BrickLAB bricks are 100% reusable. Just clean and reuse again and again.
• BrickLAB Program Expansion: Already have PCS Edventures BrickLAB bricks? For as little as $129, you can expand your program by simply adding new BrickLAB curriculum titles.
• BrickLAB Tech
• BrickLAB Core
• BrickLAB STEM Foundations
• BrickLAB Magic Beans
• BrickLAB Famous Architecture
• BrickLAB Genetics

Product Orientation:

• Half hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $500+
• One hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $1000+
• Additional training available for purchase

Complete Program Includes:

• Instructor Guide:1
• Student Build Books: 15
• Curriculum Digital Download: 1
• Storage tub: 2
• BrickLAB bricks: 6500+
• Brick separator: 1
• Mesh bag (for brick cleaning): 1

Curriculum Printed Copy includes: 1 Instructor Guide and 15 Student Build Books.

Curriculum Digital Download includes: Instructor Guide only, which includes master copies of all student curriculum pages.

Habits of Mind:

16 thinking habits developed by Art Costa and Bena Kallick to empower students to succeed in a 21st-century learning environment.

• Persisting
• Managing Impulsivity
• Listening with Understanding and Empathy
• Striving for Accuracy
• Questioning and Posing Problems
• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
• Creating, Imagining, Innovating
• Taking Responsible Risks
• Thinking Interdependently
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

21st Century Skills:

A set of widely-applicable abilities essential for success in the information age.

• Creativity and Innovation
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication and Collaboration
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Initiative and Self-Direction
• Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
• Productivity and Accountability

© 2018 Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21), p21.org. All Rights Reserved. P21 was not involved in the production of this product and does not endorse it.

Next Generation Science Standards:

• NGSS 2-LS4-1 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
• NGSS K-2-ETS1-1 Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
• NGSS K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

Common Core State Standards for Math:

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.A.1 Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.2 Count within 1000; skip-count by 5s, 10s, and 100s.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1 Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.3 Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.4 Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.D.10 Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.OA.A.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.3 Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 (e.g., 9 × 80, 5 × 60) using strategies based on place value and properties of operations.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.A.2 Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l).

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4 With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose.

© Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. 

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