Nature's Adventure

Students will engage in an animal role-playing game where they generate traits for a specific environment and determine how well they can survive. 

Student Challenge:

Using a role-playing card game, generate traits to become an animal for a specific environment. Make observations to determine how your traits help you move, find food and shelter, and protect yourself. Figure out what happens to you if your environment dramatically changes – will you still be able to survive? 

Learning Outcomes:

• Make observations to identify how an animal’s specific traits help it live in its unique environment.
• Make a claim about how an animal’s traits can help it survive (or not survive) when its environment changes. 

NGSS Connections:

Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI): 3-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Science and Engineering Practice (SEP): Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Cause and Effect

Cross-Curricular Connections:

• Common Core Math: MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• Common Core ELA: CC.SL.1 Comprehension and Collaboration: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• Social Emotional Learning: 3B.2a.Identify and apply the steps of systematic decision-making. 2c.3b. Demonstrate cooperation and teamwork to promote group effectiveness.

Materials:

DCM Educators will bring custom role-playing cards for the game and materials for students to engage in a scientific drawing exercise. Students will work in small groups to play the game, guided throughout by the DCM Educator.