Animal Adaptations: Mammals

By Katie Golin & Angela Kanerva

2 week unit worth 100 points 

C Layer (10 points)

1. Mammal Words: Warm-blooded, inborn behavior,  learned behavior, instinct, consumer, producer, decomposer, scavenger, carrion, theory, biome.

2. Mammal Adaptations: Complete the worksheet in class then collect 6 more pictures of mammals.  Write 2-3 adaptations for each mammal's picture, include a body part, body covering or action that it uses to help it survive.

3.  Wild Animal Scrapbook Report: Hooray! We have reached the mammals group!  This is a little twist on the Big Book Page from previous lessons. Mrs. Golin will share this project with you!

4.  Michigan Mammals: In class activity on how the deer population goes up and down season by season thus reflecting the cause and effect on the predator/prey population.

5.  Mammal name poem:  Write a name poem using your mammals name including as many adaptations and science vocabulary terms as you can.  Underline each adaption or vocabulary term that you use. To get all ten points you must include multiple facts and details.

6.  Data Collection Sheet: Using the information cards, an encyclopedia or animal resource book gather information about your mammal to use on your Big Book Page.

7.  Science Textbook pages _______

8.  Science Textbook pages _______

9.  Venn Diagram: Create a Venn Diagram featuring the adaptations of each mammal. Description, where it lives, eats and unique features, etc. are, of course, a must to include on your Venn Diagram.

10 National Geographic Article: Read the article. Answer the 5 W's about the article in complete sentences on a piece of lined paper.

11.  Mammal Riddle:  Create a mammal riddle “What am I?”with Mrs, Golin in class 

B Layer (15 points)

1.  Create your own Mammal Video: Choose 5 - 10 mammals to video tape as if you were a newsreporter.  Use index cards to prepare what you are going to say before your start videotaping.  Introduce the mammal then tell 2-3 adaptations for that mammal that help them survive.

2. Quadrama Ecosystems: (10 points each quadrama) Create a 3-D model of an ecosystem with at least 2 animals in each scene.  One quadrama must include a mammal. You must have an animal interacting with its surroundings showing how it uses its adaptations to help it survive.  On a notecard, write the following information:

**Name __________________________________________

**Habitat ________________________________________

**Distribution (continents/countries)____________________

**Adaptations shown in the scene______________________

3. Graphy Mammal: Organize at least 30 pictures of identified mammals into specific animal groups.  You should have at least 5 categories to sort them into.  Identify the median, mode and range for your data. Create a graph showing the data you are displaying. Neatness counts so take your time for this final graphy project.

4.  Adaptations and Ecosystems Poster:  Create a drawing at least 12" x 18" of a detailed ecosystem (living and non-living things interacting) featuring the adaptations of 15 mammals and a predator or prey for that animal.  Take your time!  This is not a 15 minute project!  Use pencil first then colored pencils or paints.  I will not accept marker drawings.  It should look as real as you can make it. 

A Layer (20 points)

1.  Should there be a ban on trade of tiger products?  Watch the movie on Swamp Tigers in class.  What are the adaptations of tigers?  Why are some people saving the tigers? (www.savethetigerfund.org)  What value is the captured or killed tiger to people?  Don't forget to have your parents' permission to access any websites like save the tiger.

2.  Should Michigan allow the mass killing of diseased deer?  The two sides of the issue are those who want to prevent the spread of disease (hunters) vs. those who do not approve of killing animals.  Take a stand on one side of the issue.  You may interview some hunters and some animal activists to gather data.  What kinds of diseases can some deer carry?