Cactus adaptations

General

Students learn that plants and animals have adaptations that help living things survive in their environment/habitat. Cacti have several adaptations that help them to get more water, retain water, and protect themselves. They will learn about the cactus’ roots and skin which allow it to survive in the hot, dry desert.

Standards

NGSS:
4-LS1-1

Learning Objective

Students will be able to explain how cacti have internal and external structures that function to support survival and growth.

Introduction

Have students observe the two images and compare the plants in each picture. Introduce students to ‘Ed the Explorer’ who will guide them through the lesson. Explain that a cactus is different from a house plant because of its adaptations.

Instruction

Define adaptations and discuss plant adaptations specifically. Introduce the cactus and explain that its adaptations help it to get more water, retain water, and protect itself. After this, go through the different adaptations and their purposes. These include the roots, the spines, the thick, waxy skin, and the thick stem. Next, students drag the labels to the correct parts of the cactus pictured on the board. Students then drag the descriptions of the adaptations to the correct parts. Following this, they will help Ed the explorer describe cactus adaptations by filling in the blanks of the passage. Finally, have students “throw out” any untrue statements and drag them to the garbage bin.

Quiz

Students respond to ten multiple-choice and true/false questions.

Closing

Students use the pencil tool to draw a line to connect the adaptation to the corresponding part of the cactus.

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