3 of 10

Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Students may work in groups of 2-4.

An emphasis is on the product (plant adaptations).

Facilitate student discussion on what attributes make a bridge pleasing.

List of Materials

Basic School Supplies
Black Pom Poms
Cardboard Tubes (4-6)
Construction Paper
Paper Plates (2-4
Plastic Bottles
Plastic Cups (2)
Straws (4-6)
String (4-5 feet, 1-1.5 m)
Googly Eyes (2-4)
Green and Pink Paint or Markers
White Card Stock

4 of 10

4th Grade Standards

Life Science

4.L4U1.11- Analyze and interpret environmental data to demonstrate that species either adapt and survive or go extinct over time.

When the environment changes in ways that affect a place’s physical characteristic, temperature, or go extinct over resources, some organisms survive and reproduce, others move to new locations, yet others move into the transformed environment, and some die.
For any particular environment, some kinds of organisms survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Science & Engineering Practices

● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

● construct explanations and design solutions

● engage in argument from evidence

● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

ELA

4.RL.1- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from a text.

4.W.2- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; included formatting, illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.

4.W.7- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

5 of 10

Objectives:

Students will learn about and explore plant adaptations through the following activities:

Reading about and studying pictures of plant adaptations
Reading and studying pictures of Venus Flytraps
Label and find examples of plant parts
Create paper plate Venus Flytraps
Analyzing information about plant adaptations in different environments
Create fly trap devices

6 of 10

Agenda (30-60 minutes)

Discussion Questions:

Why do plants in different habitats look different?
How do adaptations help plants survive?
How are plants beneficial for humans?

Research

Design-Plan-Build Structure

Share and Present

7 of 10

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Individually student will sketch a design that will help attract flies.
In groups of 2-4 they will share design and choose one design or combined designs to create one.
Students will collaborate on the material options they would use and where in their fly traps devices will it go?
Students can make designs similar to a Venus Flytrap keeping in mind:

-What will they do to make it hard for flies to get out of the fly trap?

8 of 10

Vocabulary

Habitat: the natural home of an animal, plant or other organism

Nutrients:Food that are used to keep us healthy

Adaptations: the changes made to live in that environment

Beneficial: helpful in meeting one’s needs

9 of 10

Assessment

Reflection Questions

What were some of the challenges you discovered along the way?
What worked well and what did not work well?
What other materials would you like to use if you could do this challenge again?

10 of 10

Differentiation

Use small group as needed and strategic pairing.
Visual vocabulary and definition with example
Chunk skills into smaller tasks that can be done over time.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Student will research other carnivorous plants to get more inspirations for their fly trap devices.

Family night show and share presentation

1 of 10

2 of 10