Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students explore adaptations in animals, with particular reference to Lord Howe Island. They begin by reviewing their prior knowledge of Lord Howe Island before exploring the concept of adaptation and how it relates to islands. They then investigate the Lord Howe Island stick insect, applying their knowledge of adaptation to this species, before creating a diorama of the species in its natural habitat, sharing it with the class through a gallery walk. Students who have completed the previous lesson in this unit can film and narrate their diorama and upload it to their Lord Howe Island Library Padlet.
These lessons were made possible with thanks to Joshua Yeldham.
Cool Australia also wishes to recognise Ian Hutton. Ian is a trained biologist, amongst many other skills, and has been living on Lord Howe Island since 1980. He is the author of 11 books on Lord Howe Island, including the most recent 264 page beautiful coffee table book on the World Heritage values of Lord Howe Island, contributed to some 60 papers and articles working with scientists across numerous fields, run a number of conservation and research project, and has been employed as a location guide for film documentary projects. If you are visiting Lord Howe Island, get in touch with Ian for a private guided tour, as he is keen to share his passion for the island and its environment.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand what adaptation is
- Students recognise the differences between structural adaptation and behavioural adaptation
- Students understand why islands are interesting in terms of plant and animal adaptations.
- Students recognise some of the animal species that live on Lord Howe Island and their adaptations.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 5 Science
- Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
- Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086)
- Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS093)
Year 6 Science
- The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
- Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS103)
- Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal texts (ACSIS110)
Syllabus outcomes: ST3-4WS, ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 5 Science achievement standards: Students analyse how the form of living things enables them to function in their environments. They communicate their ideas and findings using multimodal texts.
Relevant parts of Year 6 Science achievement standards: Students describe and predict the effect of environmental changes on individual living things. They collect, organise and interpret their data and construct multimodal texts to communicate ideas, methods and findings.
Topic: Biodiversity, Sustainability.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Lord Howe Island – Years 5 & 6.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion, oversee group activities.
Resources required:
- Adaptation Factsheet
- Device to take photos (optional)
- Marbles
- Materials to make a diorama
- Salt
- Tweezers
- Two bowls
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: Lord Howe Island, animals, adaptation, island, Lord Howe Island stick insect, diorama.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
