Animal adaptation essay info

Here is the structure outline we talked about today for the second essay.

The topic is 'Explain the concept of animal adaption.' 

Introduction

- define adaptation*

- Include a sentence that says what you will be writing about and leads on to your paragraphs.

Paragraphs 1 - 3

- In each paragraph, choose an animal, identify its adaptations and how it is suited to its environment.

Conclusion

- Summarise what you have said.

- Mention the essay topic again.

*Definition

Here's an example of how to explain animal adaptation. Try to put it into your own words if possible:

Adaptation is the process by which animals change over time to become more suited to their environments. This change happens over many generations.

Ideas for animals to write about:

- giant tortoises - shell shape

- marine iguanas - swimming/eating seaweed

- finches - beak size

- tigers - stripes

- moths - colour
- cormorant - wing size
- booby - air sac for diving
- beetle - shortened wings
- or research any other animal you like

Remember to proofread!

Weekly Tasks - Term 4, Week 3

Here are the tasks for this week. There is quite a lot to do and it's a short week so you'll have to work fast! However remember the second essay isn't due till next Wednesday.

Info for Tortoise paragraph

Here is a link to the website where we got the tortoise information for our reading groups. You can use this to help you write your 'perfect paragraph' about something to do with Galapagos Giant Tortoises.

Galapagos essay info

Now that you have watched the first Galapagos video, you can write your essay. Remember it is due on Thursday, as we are going to discuss them on Friday.

Here's a link to the video on YouTube.

And here's a suggested essay framework to help you get started:

How did animals get to the Galapagos Islands?

Introduction

- Discuss Galapagos Islands background, e.g. volcanic, 16 of them, where they are, how they were created.

- Say what you are going to talk about.

Paragraphs (3-5 paragraphs depending on length)

Each one about how a specific animal got to the island, e.g:
- lizard (iguana)
- giant tortoises

- cormorants
- spider

- insect

- carpenter bee

- penguin

Conclusion

- similarities to NZ

- sum up what you said

- tie back to beginning

- what makes the islands special/important

Weekly Tasks - Term 4, Week 2

Here are the tasks for this week. Remember the Galapagos essay is due on Thursday, not Friday.

Science videos

Here are links to the videos we watched today. Watch them again and make some notes in your Topic book about the most important information.

Big Bang

Origins of Life

Term 4 Reading Challenges

Here are the reading challenges for Term 4. They are all optional except for the 10 book challenge. 

Books can count in more than one challenge. Try to complete as many as you can!

10 Book Challenge: Read 10 books in one term                                                     

20 Book Challenge: Read 20 books in one term

Non-fiction Challenge: Read 2 non-fiction books                                                             

Cover Challenge: Read 2 books:  - one with an ugly cover but interesting blurb

                                                        - one with an appealing cover  - don’t read the blurb        

School Book Challenge: Read a book that is set in a school

Ye Olde Booke Challenge: Read 2 books that were written before 1990 

Library Challenge: Read a book from a section of the library that you haven’t used before

Island Challenge: Read a book set on an island 
One-word Title Challenge: Read a book with a one-word title

Weekly Tasks - Term 4, Week 1

Welcome back to Term 4. Here are the tasks for this week.

Art Exhibition

It was great to see so many families from throughout the school coming to look at the art work we have done. Well done to all the students for your efforts - your art looked amazing!