Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Animal Adaptation Adoption

Content Area: Science

Grade Level(s): 3rd

Content Standard Addressed: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and

differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions

Technology Standard Addressed: 1. Empowered Learner

Selected Technology Tool: BrainPOP and Switcheroo zoo

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

https://www.brainpop.com/science/ecologyandbehavior/ecosystems/

https://switchzoo.com/map.html

Type of Instructional Software:

☐ Drill and Practice x Tutorial x Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☐ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting

☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students

☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class

☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class

x Accessible to students beyond the school day

x Accessible via mobile devices

x Multiple languages

x Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

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x Remembering x Understanding x Applying x Analyzing ☐ Evaluating x Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion x Level 4: Integration

☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Engagement: Students will be watching a video on characteristics of ecosystems in BranPOP. Students will
take a quiz on BrainPOP to test their understanding of what they just watched, and will also be creating their
own animal to show their understanding of adaptation.

Representation: Students will use an animal creation simulation to create their own unique animal to match
their ecosystem. They will have to apply their knowledge of animal adaptation to ensure their animal will
survive.

Action and expression: Students are able to express their knowledge through the quiz on brainPOP or with
their animal creation.

Lesson idea implementation: To the start the lesson the teacher will ask students what they already know
about ecosystems and how animals adapt to live in them. The teacher will then introduce the video on
BrainPOP that will explain the characteristics of the different ecosystems and characteristics of the animals
that live there. After watching the video, students will be split into pairs by the teacher and issued a
Chromebook to take the build in quiz on BrainPOP. After taking the quiz each pair will be assigned an
ecosystem, either rain forest, wetlands, desert, marine, grasslands, and polar region. The students will then
research and choose 5 characteristics animals from these ecosystems have. Using the switcheroo zoo
simulation students will combine their characteristics researched to create their own unique animals. During
this time the teacher will walk around, making sure the students are on task and assisting with any questions.

After all the student pairs have created their animals they will name it and share it with the teacher. The
teacher will display each animal to the whole class and they will discuss whether or not the animal has
adapted enough to survive in its ecosystem. If the class decided it would not survive, they will decide what
else it may need.

Reflective Practice: The activities in this lesson help students understand how animals adapt to their
ecosystem in a fun way that lets them express creativity. A further extension of this lesson could be the
students making up their own ecosystem as a class, and then each student creating an animal to fit this
ecosystem. This could be done in class, or done at home. A possible limitation of the activity is the simulation

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used to create the animals. It only allows for the use of existing animal characteristics. Another extension
could be students creating animals by drawing them.

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