Natural Selection and Adaptations Third Grade Science Stations

Natural Selection & Adaptation Science Stations for Third Grade Next Generation Science Standards include 8 different science stations where students can deepen their understanding of how plants and animals have adapted over time and within a variety of environments. The focus is on NGSS 3-LS4.B & 3-LS4.C and includes concepts such plant adaptation, the survival of the fittest, bird adaptations, natural selection, regional plant and animal adaptations in the United States, plant and animal adaptations in the Arctic, hare adaptations, bird beaks, and mimicry.

Natural Selection & Adaptations Stations Include

► Vocabulary Cards in two formats with and without pictures.

► Watch – Students watch a video about the plant adaptations of Hawaii or survival of the fittest and answer questions. Allow students to choose the video or have them do both.

► Play – Students interact with a video game about bird adaptations and answer questions.

► Investigate – Students conduct an investigation on natural selection and answer questions.

► Diagram – Students diagram regional plant and animal adaptations in the United States and answer questions about the diagram.

► Read a Passage – Students read a passage about plant and animal adaptations in the Arctic and answer questions.

► Model – Students make a model of adaptations of two hare species in very different habitats and answer questions.

► Explore – Students explore how different bird beaks are adapted for eating different types of food and answer questions.

► Sort – Students sort three types of mimicry adaptations in nature and answer questions about the sort.

Differentiated Responses

Each station includes four different ways to respond to the experience at the station: short answer questions, fill-in the blank questions, task cards with short answers, task cards with multiple choice. All the variations are similar to one another. Choose the format that best fits your classroom and students. Students are encouraged to use their science journal, but worksheets are included as well.

Some stations include two or more activity choices and extension activities.

Each station is designed to last about 15-20 minutes. Students may do one a day for 8 days, 2 a day for four days, or any format that works for your classroom. Because there are additional activities for the Watch and Play stations, you can offer those a choice within that station or offer them as an early finisher station, as well.