Welcome to "Animal Adaptations: Surviving a Journey Through North and Central America"! In this 8-class course, students will learn all about some fascinating and exciting adaptations that animals have to survive in their different environments. The course culminates in each student designing and presenting their very own animal who must survive a long, difficult journey through several different habitat types beginning in the Arctic Circle of Canada, travelling down through the Rocky Mountains, into the desert of the southwestern USA, and through/around central America to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica. The lessons in this course are designed in a part lecture-style, part discussion-style fashion, with some short video clips throughout. Every lesson includes a handout which students can use to document their learning throughout the course. In addition, all learners are provided unlimited web access to the lesson slides after each class-- no need to worry about writing all the information down!

Lesson 1: Adaptation? What's That?! -- Students will be introduced to some key vocabulary that we will use throughout this course. They will learn about the types of adaptations (behavioural, physiological, and structural), and begin to practice identifying some adaptations. They will learn about the fun culminating course project, and practice creating an animal with useful adaptations in a fun activity!

Lesson 2: Polar "Brrrr"s and More: Polar and Antarctic Animals -- Students will learn about cold habitats and some special adaptations that animals in these habitats have. We will examine polar bears, penguins, seals, and more.

Lesson 3: Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot -- Students will learn about desert habitats and some special adaptations that animals in these habitats have. We will examine kangaroo mice, fennec foxes, and more.

Lesson 4: Time For a Swim -- Students will learn about marine habitats, and the different types of animals that can dwell in these environments. We will examine some adaptations of fish, sharks, dolphins, and more.

Lesson 5: I Believe I Can Fly -- Students will learn about animals who are able to fly, and some of their awesome adaptations! We will discuss different bird species, bats, and even flying squirrels. We will also briefly look at WHY some male birds are so beautiful and colourful.

Lesson 6: A Walk in the Forest -- Students will learn about temperate forest habitats, which is a very common habitat in North America! We will examine some familiar animals like white-tailed deer, black bears, and owls for example, and some adaptations they have for surviving in the woods.

Lesson 7: Ain't No Mountain High Enough -- Students will learn about mountain habitats, such as North America's own Rocky Mountains. We will learn about some adaptations of cougars, lynx, bighorn sheep, and more!

Lesson 8: Project Presentations -- In this lesson, students will each have an opportunity to show the class their uniquely designed animal. They will each be given some time to explain the adaptations they chose for their animal, and how each adaptation will help the animal on their journey through the different habitats.