Animal Adaptions on the Geologic Timescale Project

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This engaging project-based science lesson for Grades 6-7 allows students to explore geologic eras, animal adaptations, and habitats in an interactive and creative way. Students will dive deep into Earth’s history by designing a unique species suited to one of the major geologic eras—Cenozoic, Mesozoic, or Paleozoic—considering environmental factors, animal adaptations, and survival strategies. This project-based lesson can be used as an alternative or a complement to a formal unit assessment.

Task Outline:

Students will:

• choose one of the three most recent geologic eras (Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic)
• research their chosen era to learn about its unique climate, flora, fauna, and overall environment
• design a representative habitat that showcases characteristics of their chosen era
• create a completely unique animal species that demonstrates adaptations for eating, protection, and mobility
• select from various presentation methods to showcase their project, such as dioramas, labelled diagrams, murals, diaries, or short stories

Features:

• comprehensive teaching instructions for managing this project-based learning assignment
• suggested introductory activities and research resources for student exploration
• student-led project with student instructions and scaffolded project organizer.
• multiple project presentation options, allowing creative freedom
• detailed five-point rubric for clear assessment guidelines
• Student reading passage about the geologic eras to support students in their project design and additional research sources.

Standards Aligned

NGSS:

• MS-LS1-4: Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviours and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively
• MS-LS1-5: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms focusing on how environmental conditions and adaptations play a critical role in survival and reproduction of species
• MS-ESS1-4: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s history.

CCSS

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Benefits:

• promotes independent research, creativity, and critical thinking by encouraging students to apply their knowledge to design an original species
• supports differentiated learning by allowing students to choose from various presentation formats such as dioramas, murals, or written stories
• offers an engaging way for students to connect theoretical learning with real-world application, enhancing understanding of Earth’s history and evolutionary adaptations
• fosters an understanding of environmental changes and their impact on organisms, helping students make connections between adaptation and survival
• provides an alternative assessment method that is interactive and student-centred, offering an exciting way to showcase knowledge and creativity

Ready to bring the history of life on Earth into your classroom?

This project-based lesson is an exciting way to explore geologic time, environmental changes, and animal adaptations, making complex concepts more approachable for students while offering them the chance to think creatively and critically.

**Join today to get this engaging resource and watch your students’ excitement and understanding grow as they dive into Earth’s fascinating history!*

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