Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our science units, hands-on activities, mini-lessons, & more!
Back > Share
Why do some sea creatures look so strange?
Animal & Plant Adaptations Unit | Lesson 1 of 3
Back > Share

Why do some sea creatures look so strange?

Animal & Plant Adaptations Unit | Lesson 1 of 3
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
DISCUSS:
What makes it so much easier for a fish to live underwater, compared to a human?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?

DISCUSS: (1 of 2)

What might be challenging about hunting prey in the ocean?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS: (2 of 2)

What traits might help an underwater animal find and catch their food?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
01/18
For this activity, you’ll work with a partner.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
02/18
Get your supplies.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
03/18
Flip each page over and fold it in half along the gray line so that the
words are on the outside. Use your fingernail to make a good crease.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
04/18
Stack the page with an “A” in the corner on top of the one with a “B.”
Fold your pages in half. Use your fingernail to make a good crease.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
05/18
Hold your stack of papers together. Have your partner cut along the dotted lines in the middle of the page. Then do the same for them.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
06/18
Lay your pipe cleaner on the black line in the middle of your journal.
Tuck the pipe cleaner’s ends into the cuts you made. Twist the ends
together tightly on the back of your journal.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
07a/18
Observe the structures of different frogfish.
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
07b/18
Here’s what we noticed.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
08/18
Watch the video of a frogfish.
Pay close attention to how it uses the structure on its head.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
09/18
Discuss what you observed with your partner.
Then write your answers to questions 1A and 1B in your field journal.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
10/18
Watch the video of a different kind of frogfish hunting for food.
Pay attention to how it gets close to its prey.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
11/18
Open your field journal to questions 2A and 2B.
Discuss with your partner and write down your answers.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
12/18
Watch the video of a frogfish.
Pay attention to how the frogfish’s traits help it eat its prey.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
13/18
Open your field journal to questions 3A and 3B.
Discuss with your partner and write down your answers.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
14/18
Watch the video of this frogfish.
Pay attention to how its structures help it eat its prey.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
15/18
Open your field journal to question 4.
Discuss with your partner and write down your answer.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
16/18
Open your field journal to the drawing on pages 5 & 6.
Circle and label ALL of the structures that help a frogfish catch and eat food.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
17/18
Flip your field journal to question 6.
Do you agree or disagree with the claim? Why?
Discuss with your partner and write down your answer.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Step
18/18
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
DISCUSS: How do the reef squid’s traits work together to help it catch its prey?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

species


1 of 14

one specific kind of living thing that has similar characteristics and can produce offspring with one another
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

trait


2 of 14

something you can observe about a living thing, such as the broad fins of a fish
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

behavior


3 of 14

the actions and reactions of living things
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?

predator


4 of 14

an animal that hunts and eats other animals
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?

prey


5 of 14

an animal that is hunted by and eaten by another animal
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image

environment


6 of 14

all the living and nonliving things in a particular place
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

evidence


7 of 14

information that can be used to support or reject an idea
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

camouflage


8 of 14

to blend in with the place around you
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

structure


9 of 14

the specific form and shape of something
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

function


10 of 14

what something does
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Video trouble?
Slide Image

system


11 of 14

a group of things that affect each other and function as a whole
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

adaptation


12 of 14

a physical trait or behavior that helps a living thing survive in its environment
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

internal


13 of 14

the inside of something, including the inside of living things
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

external


14 of 14

the outside of something, including the outside of living things
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 4

Animal & Plant Adaptations

Animal Adaptations

4-LS1-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students make observations of an underwater animal, a frogfish, in order to collect evidence that its external structures serve specific functions. In the activity, Frogfish Finder, students use their observations to construct an argument that the frogfish’s external and internal structures work together as part of a system to support their growth and survival.
Preview activity
Please note: This is a NEW lesson we are BETA testing! If you have a Mystery Pack, you’ll need to gather the supplies listed below. They are NOT included in your Pack.
I don't have a Mystery Pack
In your Mystery Pack Lesson Bag
Frogfish Field Journal printout 1 per student
Frogfish Field Journal Answer Key printout 1 per class
Not included in your Mystery Pack
Frogfish Field Journal printout 1 per student
Frogfish Field Journal Answer Key printout 1 per class
Pipe Cleaners 1 pipe cleaner per student
Scissors 1 pair per pair
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs.

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

10 mins

Grade 4

Animal & Plant Adaptations

Animal Adaptations

4-LS1-1

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits