Lesson Cover Page

Lesson Topic: Bird Adaptations Length of Class Period: 55 min

Course: Lab Biology Grade Level: 9

TERMINAL BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVE
By the end of a lesson on biological adaptation, students will be able to hypothesize the physical characteristics and habitat requirements of birds that live in
hot, dry climates such as the desert.

CONTENT STANDARDS

SCHS-S4-C4-03. Describe how the continuing operation of natural selection underlies a population’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment and
leads to biodiversity and the origin of new species.

ELL STANDARDS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Reading Standard 4: Comprehending Text - Fiction/Non-Fiction: HI-4: answering literal, inferential, prediction, evaluation, and/or personal response
questions about text.
Writing Standard 4: Writing Elements: Standard LI-10: using language appropriate to purpose, topic, and audience.
ELL Accommodations:
The information the students are reading about contains pictures with descriptions which should help ELL students access the information. Also, I will be
checking for understanding as the students work and will be able to provide support as needed. In the think, pair, share activity ELL students will be paired
with native English speakers and/or high-level students for peer support.

ADAPTATIONS/ENRICHMENT
There have been sightings of wild parrots outside our classroom window, and around the Phoenix area. Parrots are not native to Arizona. The students will
research and create an explanation as to why there are wild parrots in this area and evaluate which adaptations parrots possess that make it possible for
them to survive in the wild here.

HOMEWORK
The analysis/conclusion and “Going Further” section of the lab handout will need to be done as homework if it is not finished in class.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS
“Comparing Adaptations of Birds” Lab Handout
Chromebooks/Google for “Field Guides”
 Lesson Sequence
TIME TASK ANALYSIS TEACHING STRATEGY
(Sub-tasks/topics) (BW, lecture, lab, group work, handout,
guiding questions, etc)
:05 Bellwork: How many different types of birds
SWBAT brainstorm different types of birds can you list? How many of these can you
that live in different habitats. identify which type of habitat they live in?
:05 Lab Handout: Pre-Lab Discussion
SWBAT describe physical features of Think, Pair Share
different types of beaks.
:15 Lab Handout: Pre-Lab Discussion
Think, Pair Share
SWBAT infer how different beak shapes are
indicative of its habitat.
:10 Lab Handout: Data Tables
SWBAT combine body structures, Lab Groups: Working in groups of 3, students
adaptations, and types of birds in the data will complete the data tables in the lab
table. handout. The teacher will give directions on
how to complete this part and will be observing
to ensure students have understood directions.
:10 Lab Handout: Analysis and Conclusions
SWBAT compare and contrast how birds can Teacher will be walking around to answer
share the same characteristics but occupy questions and ensure students are on the right
different niches. track.
:10 SWBAT hypothesize the physical Lab Handout: Going Further
characteristics and habitat requirements of The teacher will be walking around asking
birds that live in hot, dry climates such as the students questions to guide their thinking as
desert. they discuss and answer this portion of the lab
handout.
WHAT ARE THE STUDENTS DOING?
(Active participation, Int. Closure)
Bellwork: How many different types of birds can
you list? How many of these can you identify
which type of habitat they live in?
Lab Handout: Pre-Lab Discussion
Think, Pair, Share: Complete the Pre-Lab
Discussion then discuss with your assigned
partner.
Lab Handout: Pre-Lab Discussion
Think, Pair Share: Complete the Pre-Lab
Discussion then discuss with your assigned
partner.
Lab Handout: Data Tables
Lab Groups: Working in groups of 3, students
will complete the data tables in the lab handout.
Lab Handout: Analysis and Conclusions
Students will answer the questions in the
questions in this section of the handout with
their lab partners.
Lab Handout: Going Further
The students will discuss and record their own
hypothesis about the physical characteristics of
birds that live in the desert.