Lesson Plan - Beating the Heat

Watch a Video: Amazing Adaptations

Discuss: What are some ways that adaptations help animals survive?

Preview Words to Know

Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• physical adaptations 
• moisture 
• pores

Set a Purpose for Reading

As students read, have them identify four ways animals have adapted to survive the heat.

1. Why do you think the author chose the title “Beating the Heat” for this article? The author chose this title because the article is about how physical adaptations help some animals survive in hot habitats.

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2. What is the connection between the main article and the sidebar, “How Can You Stay Cool?” The article describes different ways animals survive in hot weather. In the sidebar, the author shows how humans can imitate some animals’ adaptations.

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3. Which animal described in the article do you think has the most interesting adaptation? Support your choice with details from the text. Students’ responses will vary.

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FEATURED SKILL: Reading a Chart

Use the skill builder “Earth’s Hottest Spots” to have students compare the highest recorded temperatures for the seven continents. 

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