Amazing Animal Adaptations

Student work

Grade Level and General Ability of Students:
This lesson was implemented at Trinity Catholic Academy in Mrs. Shugarts’ fourth grade classroom (general education). Mrs. Shugarts’ classroom consists of six girls and seven boys. The performance levels of the students range in academic abilities from developing to secure levels. There was one student with an IEP for speech and socialization challenges and one student with diagnosed ADD but had no IEP when this lesson was taught.

Pre and Post Assessment Results:
Students were presented with three adaptation related questions from the NYS Elementary Science Written Test from Spring 2009.

Assessment Results	Pre Assessment	Post Assessment
Number of Students to Receive 100%	8	12
Number of Students to Receive 67%	4	1
Number of Students to Receive 33%	1	0
Total	13 Students	13 Students

CLIP 1

After reviewing the results and through informal conversation with the students I was able to determine that they are familiar with the concept of adaptation but do not necessarily apply that term to the concept. They are also familiar with the idea of camouflage and migration but some become confused with identifying the difference between hibernation and migration. While the student presentation results were positive, I relied more on the post assessment to show that they really had understood the concept. All but one student scored on a distinguished level with the post assessment.

Adaptation Presentation Results:

Assessment Results
Number of Students at Distinguished Level	10
Number of Students at Proficient Level	3
Number of Students at Developing Levels	0
Total	13 Students

CLIP 2

Distinguished Student Work:

These three students created a puppet show that starred two puppet scientists “teaching” the class about animal adaptations. They created puppets for many different animals to showcase the different types of adaptations and explained the purpose for each. The visual aide could use some improvement. Each student received the same rubric score because of equal participation.

Distinguished Level Presentation Rubric

Adaptation Presentation Rubric Mrs. Shugarts
Criteria	4	3	2	1	Totals
Quality of Product: The extent to which the key ideas are addressed in the project: definition of adaptation, identification of four adaptations and their purpose.	All key ideas are addressed with accurate information that includes scientific vocabulary and shows extensive research.	All key ideas are addressed with accurate information.	More than half of the key ideas are address with accurate information.	Less than half of the key ideas are addressed. and / or Less than half of the information is inaccurate.	4x2
Quality of Presentation: The extent to which the projects are presented based on: quality of voice and familiarity of material and presentation flow.	Voice is loud and clear and demonstrates enthusiasm throughout presentation. Speaks with confidence and conviction throughout the presentation. Presentation flows smoothly. Recognizes audience needs and adapts presentation accordingly to increase audience engagement and comprehension.	Voice is loud and clear throughout presentation. Speaks with confidence throughout the presentation. Presentation flows smoothly.	Voice is loud and clear for more than half of the presentation. Speaks with confidence for more than half of the presentation. Flow of presentation starts and stops frequently affecting audience’s comprehension and decreasing audience engagement.	Voice is inaudible / incomprehensible for more than half of the presentation. Speaks with uncertainty for more than half of the presentation. Flow of presentation starts and stops so frequently that the audience becomes confused or ignores the presenter.	4x1
Scoring Guide Comments: Fantastic Job! Your puppets were very creative and your presentation was well developed!		12pts = 100% 11pts = 92% 10pts = 83% 9pts = 75% 8pts = 67% 7pts = 58% 6pts = 50% 5pts = 42% 4pts = 33% 3pts = 25% 2pts = 17% 1pt = 8% Total 12 /12

Proficient Student Work:

These students created a poster using pictures from National Geographic Explorer Magazine. The script for their presentation was on index cards and the presentation flowed smoothly. Some of the necessary information was missing. Each student received the same rubric score because of equal participation.

Proficient Level Presentation Rubric

Adaptation Presentation Rubric Mrs. Shugarts
Criteria	4	3	2	1	Totals
Quality of Product: The extent to which the key ideas are addressed in the project: definition of adaptation, identification of four adaptations and their purpose.	All key ideas are addressed with accurate information that includes scientific vocabulary and shows extensive research.	All key ideas are addressed with accurate information.	More than half of the key ideas are address with accurate information.	Less than half of the key ideas are addressed. and / or Less than half of the information is inaccurate.	3x2
Quality of Presentation: The extent to which the projects are presented based on: quality of voice and familiarity of material and presentation flow.	Voice is loud and clear and demonstrates enthusiasm throughout presentation. Speaks with confidence and conviction throughout the presentation. Presentation flows smoothly. Recognizes audience needs and adapts presentation accordingly to increase audience engagement and comprehension.	Voice is loud and clear throughout presentation. Speaks with confidence throughout the presentation. Presentation flows smoothly.	Voice is loud and clear for more than half of the presentation. Speaks with confidence for more than half of the presentation. Flow of presentation starts and stops frequently affecting audience’s comprehension and decreasing audience engagement.	Voice is inaudible / incomprehensible for more than half of the presentation. Speaks with uncertainty for more than half of the presentation. Flow of presentation starts and stops so frequently that the audience becomes confused or ignores the presenter.	4x1
Scoring Guide Comments: Your presentation flowed very well and you could tell you had practiced. You didn’t consistently and clearly explain the purpose of all the adaptations. Next time use your rubric to help. Great Job!		12pts = 100% 11pts = 92% 10pts = 83% 9pts = 75% 8pts = 67% 7pts = 58% 6pts = 50% 5pts = 42% 4pts = 33% 3pts = 25% 2pts = 17% 1pt = 8% Total 10 /12

Developing Level: At this time there are no presentations at the developing level.