Plants and Animals - Adaptations for Structures and Functions 1st Grade Science

Need resources to help you teach both plant AND animal adaptations? Get ready to focus on the Next Generation Science Standard regarding traits, adaptations, and structures and functions that help animals AND plants survive. Teach your students to observe the external parts, hypothesize how these help them, and then write about it. Get everything for your lessons: photos, discussion ideas, and writing activities.

So many standards and goals are addressed:

✔science goals

✔ persuasive writing skills

✔ ELA Speaking & Listening standards

✔ Language targets for new vocabulary

Click on the PREVIEW above to see almost all of the pages included in this resource.

Save MONEY - Get 2 lessons in this bundle unit

Animal Unit Resources Included:

• full page definition of adaptation in color and just black & white (You can use the colorful version as an anchor chart and the black and white one for students to post in their science journal, folder, etc.)
• full page collage of animals displaying one trait (6 different trait pages are included) Traits include: spikes on surface, sharp teeth, hard shell, horns, sharp claws, and hard scales/thick skin. Plus bad smells
• 2 versions of writing pages to explain WHY students think the animal has the adaptation that helps them survive
• a list of websites with helpful information to help you answer all of those questions students ask

Also included are lesson plan sequence and teaching tips. Get an outline for how to introduce the concepts. Even ideas for getting the students up and moving are included.

Plant Unit Resources Included:

• a full page definition of adaptation in color and just black & white (You can use the colorful version as an anchor chart and the black and white one for students to post in their science journal, folder, etc.)
• a full page anchor chart listing how adaptations help plants (in color and black & white)
• full page collages of plants displaying one trait (11 different trait pages are included) Traits include: thorns, spines, prickles, thin hairs, thick bark, vines, dangerous, narrow leaves, big leaves, good smells, and bad smells
• 4 Prove It discussion prompts
• 2 versions of writing pages to explain WHY students think the plant has the adaptation that helps them survive
• a list of websites with helpful information to help you answer all of those questions students ask

This complete resource lets students learn, think, and write.

• After seeing photos, students will hypothesis why they have those parts.
• Brainstorm ideas: How do the parts help them survive?
• Then students will write stating their reasons and ideas.

You will get this lesson started by using photographs. Pages of photos are provided. Each page highlights one part or feature along with three examples that possess it and survive because of it. Through discussion, your students will learn about these important physical structures as well as broaden their knowledge of animals and plants. Then guide them to use higher order thinking skills to hypothesize why the animals and plants have these traits. To document their knowledge, let them write about what was discussed. Writing pages are provided for them to identify the trait and justify their thinking as to why this helps the animal or plant survive.

Teachers had this to say after using these materials....

★★★★★ Lina P. commented, "I love this resource and use it as additional or supplemental science material. My students were engaged and I was able to address multiple standards with this resource. Thanks!"

★★★★★ Elizabeth B stated, "Great pictures, my students were able to make connections with the materials and really understood. So many different things I can do with this bundle! Will be using again later in unit!"

★★★★★ Kaye G. shared, "I loved the anchor charts and real photos. My class and I had great conversations while looking at them. Thank you for making this!

The BUNDLE has it all. Get this complete unit and enjoy teaching science this year.

If you have wished for a resource,

you might find it in my store - Wendy Wished

Please leave a review after you have used this resource combo. I want to hear how it went and other teachers will too! Thanks.

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