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Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.B.1.1.1

Grade 08 Science - EC: S8.B.1.1.1

Continuum of Activities

Continuum of Activities

The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.

This continuum of activities offers:

  • Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
  • Questions/activities that grow in complexity
  • Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance

Grade Levels

8th Grade

Course, Subject

Science

Activities

  1. Define a structural adaptation.

  2. List 3 examples of structural adaptations.

  3. List 3 characteristics of a zebra.
  1. A pelican and a flamingo are both birds.  However, they have different characteristics to help them survive in their natural ecosystem.  How are the characteristics of these birds similar?  How are they different?
  1. Sharks do not have any natural predators.  Investigate 5 of a shark’s characteristics and/or structural adaptations.  Explain how you think each of these contributes to the shark’s position at the top of its food chain.

Answer Key/Rubric

  1. A structural adaptation is a physical characteristic of an organism.

  2. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Bill of a bird
    • Fur on a bear
    • Sharp teeth
    • Long legs
    • Long neck
    • Root systems
    • Waxy coating on leaves

  3. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Stripes
    • White and black
    • Horse like body
    • Short mane
    • Large ears
  1. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Both have wings.
    • Both have a large wingspan.
    • Both have webbed feet.
    • Both can fly.
    • Flamingos have longer legs than pelicans.
    • Flamingos have long necks.
    • Flamingos are pink.  Pelicans can be white or brown.
    • Pelicans have a long beak pouch to catch fish.
    • The shape of a flamingo’s bill determines its diet.  Flamingos with a deep-keeled bill will eat algae and diatoms.  Flamingos with a shallow-keeled bill will eat insects, aquatic invertebrates, and small fish.
  1. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
    • Sharp teeth – can easily bite into other animals
    • Thick, tough skin – difficult for an animal to bite it
    • Upper side of skin is dark to blend in – a predator would not be able to see a shark from above, the shark would be able to see it approaching from below
    • Powerful jaws – can easily bite another animal
    • Cartilage – allows them to move very quickly through water, could escape predators
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