Regan Aspden's Professional Learning Journal: November 2015

PYP - Who We Are

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Central Idea: All living things change and adapt to meet their needs

Areas of investigation/ Provocations	Additional Resources
Introduction to inheritance- Inherited Human Traits Learning intentions: 1) Collect, analyse, graph, and interpret data about inherited traits found in the classroom population. 2) Understand that human traits are inherited and variable. 3) Develop a basic understanding of genetics	Tour of Basic Genetics - This site includes information related to: heredity, traits, DNA, genes, proteins and chromosomes. Genetics 101: What are genes? Learn about the basics of cells, chromosomes, and the genes contained in your DNA Genetics 101: Where do your genes come from?Learn how chromosomes and genes are passed down from parent to child.Genetics 101: What are phenotypes?Learn how your observable traits, or phenotypes, are the result of interactions between your genes and environment. Ted Ed Lesson - Five Fingers of Evolution How can a “thumbs up” sign help us remember five processes that impact evolution? The story of the Five Fingers of Evolution gives us a clever way of understanding change in gene pools over time. Popeye eating spinach - Watch the clip of Popeye. What is the inherited trait that you can observe? What is an acquired trait you can observe? The Lion King - Scar and Mufasa - Watch the clip of Scar and Mufasa. What are Scar's inherited traits and what are acquired traits? Hereditary and Human Genetics Slideshow Reading - Genes and DNA Book p8-25 (traits) by Richard Walker - DNA Book by Lee-Ann Wright
Introduction to adaptation These activities are best undertaken with two teachers/adults present Learning intentions: 1) Describe the adaptations of living things that allow them to survive in a particular environment. 2) Define and explain adaptation.	PBS Kids - Creaturepedia Discover cool info and videos about your favourite animals in the Wild Kratts database. Quick write: Use your imagination to come up with your own mythical creature and create a set of 'Creaturepedia' like slides using Google slides. You will need to describe their super powers, the environment they live in, and how your creature is adapted to their habitat. Literacy resources: Why are some New Zealand birds 'all black"? Why can't kiwis fly?
Wings – Natural Systems and Mechanical Systems Learning intentions: 1) Read and discuss an article on bird and airplane wings to explain how engineers use knowledge of animal characteristics to design mechanical devices. 2) Observe, conduct, describe, and explain air pressure demonstrations that relate to flight. 3) Explain how bird wings are adapted to flight.	How Do Airplanes Fly? If you have time take a quick look at paper jet plane designs- How to make a paper plane, with science! Biomimicry explanation - Read more on how animals have been used as models for innovation and technology.
Bird beak and bird feet adaptations Learning intentions: 1) Predict what type of food different birds eat based on the shape of their beak. 2) Experiment with model beaks and food sources and collect, record, graph, and analyse data to determine which type of beak is best suited for which type of food. 3) Explain how birds are adapted to eat a certain type of food and describe what would happen to a bird population if its environment changed. 4) Present the results of the bird beak experiment to the class. 5) Apply their understanding of bird beak adaptations to predict the type of bird and it's habitat based on the shape of their feet.	Teacher notes for station resources and set up. Bird beaks and feet - Comprehension activity Birds Feet reading activity or Birds Feet matchup activity Darwin's finches - Truth in Science website - Finches of the Galapagos Islands Vampire finches - Video Koala Evolution - How has the Koala adapted to ensure its survival? Bird Adaptations Flipchart - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/Download.aspx?ContentId=39763
Adaptation - Increasing survival and reproduction Learning intentions: 1) Explain how living things become adapted to their environment over time. 2) Analyse squirrel survival and reproduction data and use this evidence to write a paragraph explaining which squirrel is most adapted to its environment.	BBC Bitesize - Adaptation and Interdependence
How living things respond to changes in the environment Learning intentions: 1) Read an article about extinction and migration, discuss the main ideas, and answer analysis questions about what happens to living things when the environment changes.
Raccoon Islands Learning intentions: 1) Design, draw, and describe the adaptations of a raccoon that is adapted for life on a certain type of island. 2) Give a presentation to the class explaining the island environment and the adaptations of their raccoon.	Teacher challenge - provide a creative story, with as many details as you choose, about how the raccoons all ended up on different islands and how long they have been on these islands. Alternatively, students may like to write their own stories for this. The following resources might also be used as part of your literacy programme: National Geographic - Raccoons Bio Kids - Raccoons National Geographic Videos - Raccoon
Research on an animal adaptation (mini inquiry) Learning intentions: 1) Research an animal that interests you. Try to pick something that is quite 'different' and somewhat fascinating. 2 ) Create a poster and a give a presentation to the class describing the habitat of the animal and how the animal is adapted to its environment.	Adaptation Song Adaptation Videos: Animal Adaptations
Summative Task See description of a Phoenix here	Art Ed - Fantasy animals Art Ed - Oaxacan WoodCarvings Creepy Animals Getting started designing creatures SwitchZoo
MRS C GREN	Bitesize Revision - Mrs Gren Bitesize Activity - Mrs Gren