Animal Survival: A Study in Patterns
Objective:   Students will learn how various animals use their patterns and colorations as various natural adaptations.

Materials:   Limbacher, Phyllis.  Animals Brightly Colored.  Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 1998.
                    Martin, Terry.  Why are Zebras Black and White?  New York: DK Publishing, 1996.
                    Rotner, Shelley.  Nature Spy.  New York:  Macmillan Publishing, 1992.
                    Stockdale, Susan.  Nature's Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.

Procedure:
1.  ask students: "Besides being able to run fast and hunt well, can you think of any other ways a cheetah stays at the top of the food chain?"
2.  Introduce the concept of camelflouge.  A cheetah can hide in the tall grasses and brush easier due to the unique patterning on his fur.  In
     the same way, a zebra can hide from the cheetah.  Both animals are using their unique coloration and patterns to increase their chances of
     survival.
3.  read Nature's Paintbrush
4.  Other examples

  • tropical butterflies that feed on rotten fruit have eyespots help them appear as though they are owls, which scares away predators.
  • spiders spin beautiful webs with intricate patterns to catch prey
  • poison dart frogs are brightly colored (aposematic coloration) to warn predators of their toxic nature
  • the needles of cacti are arranged in a sort of star pattern to keep animals from eating them
  • bees create beautiful hexagonal beehives to store honey.  A hexagon is bigger than a triangle or a square in surface area, so they can store     more honey.
  • peacocks have beautifully patterened feathers to attract a mate.
  • pansies look like butterflies so male butterflies will pollinate them.  (pseudocopulation)

    • 5.  peruse books and Internet to further investigate patterns in nature.  Record your thoughts in your science journal, and illustrations.
    6.  use this information in an outdoor hunt for patterns.  This is similar to the intro lesson, but for this activity one must find only naturally
         occuring patterns.
    7.  art integration:  have children create a pattern on a fictional animal or plant that helps them survive using charcoals, scissors, and oil
         pastels. 

    Assessment:  Students will be evaluated on their ability to orally communicate their understanding of the topic, as well as by the quality of writing and accuracy of illustrations in their science journals.  Furthermore, they will be evaluated on creativity and feasability for their art project.