Summary This is an outdoor lesson. Start with a game which demonstrates how the survival of a population depends on what it eats and what eats it. Experiment with camouflage, and discuss how it is a beneficial adaptation in both prey and predator species. Use a relay race to demonstrate how different bird beaks are adapted for carrying different foods. Science content Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7) Biology: Food Webs, Ecosystems, Biomes (3, 4) Biology: Evolution, Natural Selection (7) Activities in this lesson Natural selection game Camouflage challenge Bird beak / animal eating style adaptations Materials Materials in the activities Procedure Start with the natural selection game (for all grades except Ks). Then discuss what happened to the populations, and how each animal might have been able to survive better (making sure that camouflage is mentioned). Do the camouflage activity (all grades). If time, end with the relay race with different bird beaks bringing different food types to their nest (good for Ks). Notes Ks had fun with camouflage though they tended to choose an environment that matched the clay, instead of making clay colours to match the environment. Bird beaks great for Ks hand-eye coordination. Grades taught Gr K Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5 Gr 6 Gr 7
