Our Incredible Wildlife: Habitats & Adaptations

Explore the fascinating topics of habitats and adaptations through this engaging two-part program! A Mass Audubon educator will conduct two one-hour sessions in your classroom.

The first session, focused on Habitats, will cover essential elements such as the definition of a habitat, which must provide food, water, shelter, space, and air. We will also examine various local habitats and the animals that depend on them. To reinforce learning, participants will engage in a "Jeopardy-style" game at the conclusion of the session, along with several hands-on activities designed to promote active learning.

The second session, dedicated to Adaptations, will delve into how an animal's physical characteristics and behaviors contribute to its survival in its habitat. Students will engage in an "Adaptations Detective" activity, where they will select and analyze items from a basket (including a turtle shell, bird feather, porcupine quills, and deer antler) to determine their significance for animal survival. We will examine images of local wildlife to identify their adaptations and collaborate in a group activity to design an imaginary creature with real-life adaptations, considering how it would thrive in a specific habitat and the potential impacts of environmental changes.

Additionally, we offer an optional field trip to Arcadia to enhance the learning experience. During this visit, students will be divided into small groups to explore the property, connecting with various local habitats through engaging games and activities.

Program Location(s):

Your school or other location
Offered in the Connecticut River Valley

Grades:

2, 3, 4

Price:

Please contact [email protected] for updated pricing information.

Learning Standards Supported:

2-LS2-3 (MA) - Ecosystems--Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics - how plant/animals depend on surroundings
2-LS4-1 - Biological Evolution--Unity and Diversity - observe/compare living things diff. env.
3-LS1-1 - From Molecules to Organisms--Structures and Processes - life cycles
3-LS4-2 - Biological Evolution--Unity and Diversity - individual variation relates to survival
3-LS4-3 - Biological Evolution--Unity and Diversity - env. constraints on organisms survival
3-LS4-4 - Biological Evolution--Unity and Diversity - changes in habitat affect reproduction
3-LS4-5 (MA) - Biological Evolution--Unity and Diversity - pop. survival depends on reproduction
4-LS1-1 - From Molecules to Organisms--Structures and Processes - animal/plant, internal/external structures

Contact:

For more information email us - [email protected].