All lessons › Survival in habitats › Lesson 1
Australian primary science · Years 5–6 · Lesson 1 of 3
Body or behaviour?
Inquiry question: How do features and behaviours help animals survive?
Marked no materials needed
Classifying
What students learn
Adaptations help living things survive. Structural features are body parts (like thick fur). Behaviours are things an animal does (like hiding by day).
Success criteria
- I can tell a structural feature from a behaviour.
- I can explain how one adaptation helps survival.
- I can give an Australian example.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students know animals need food, water, shelter and safety.
- iPads with Bottlebrush Education open (nothing else needed) — 13 (one per pair)
- Projector or big screen — 1
Teacher setup
- Open Living things › Play › Body or behaviour? on your screen to demonstrate.
- Check the iPads are charged.
Safety and adaptations
Follow school science and equipment risk assessment procedures for the materials used.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Pairs play Body or behaviour? and sort each card.
- For four cards, record the living thing, the adaptation, its type and how it helps.
- Pick the adaptation you think helps most, and say why.
Teacher modelling prompt
Do two on the big screen: “Webbed feet on a platypus: a body part, so structural. Kangaroos licking their forearms to cool down: an action, so behaviour.”
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: How do features and behaviours help animals survive?
| Living thing | Adaptation | Body or behaviour? | How it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
Which explanation is more scientific?
Check understanding
What should pupils know? What is the difference between a structural feature and a behaviour?
Explain with evidence: A thorny devil has spiky skin. How might this help it survive?
Apply the idea: Wombats dig burrows. Is that a feature or behaviour, and how does it help in a hot, dry habitat?
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.