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Camouflage Animals

Subject: Science

Grade: Grade 2

Lesson Objective: Students will choose a camouflaged animal and try to match it to what enables them to camouflage.

Common Core Standard(s): CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1- Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

Materials Needed:

  • Worksheet 1 (Distribute a copy to every child)

  • Worksheet 2: Worksheet containing animal camouflage (Distribute a copy to each child).

  • Optional: Photos, precut, or computer images of camouflaged animals (can be cut from Worksheet 2)

Lesson Starter:

Introduce the idea of camouflage using riddle sentences. 

For example, Polar bears are white, and snow is white. On a green leaf, the chameleon turns green. 

Explain that we use the word "camouflage" to describe animals' ability to hide or disguise themselves from prey or predators. 

Explain that camouflage enables animals to get food and avoid being attacked and that camouflaging is very important for the survival of animals in different habitats.

Then say:

  • In today's lesson, we will identify and describe animal camouflage. 

  • We are also going to match camouflaging animals and what helps them camouflage. 

Start the lesson

Main Lesson/Activity:

Activity 1

  • Ask the students to name some animals that camouflage. You can either use photos or show computer images. This activity introduces lesson vocabulary, such as stripes, spots, patches, shapes, and patterns. 

  • Distribute a copy of Worksheet 1 to every child.

  • Group the children in groups of 3 and give each child a number between 1 to 3. Explain to them that you will need them to work individually by reading and finding one type of camouflage, depending on the number assigned. 

  • Read the text on Worksheet 1 with the students. Ask the children to use the information in the text to fill the table. You will hold up the worksheet and point out the numbers by the texts and the examples already filled.

  • Allow children to interact and exchange information about the types of camouflage. 

  • Check their answers by asking each group to report about each type in turns.

 

Type of camouflage

How it works

Examples of animals

1. Design

The animal has a design or shape that makes it look like something else, making it difficult for enemies or predators to see them.



 

Stick insect

2. Blending

  

The animal has the same color as its environment, making it difficult for its enemies or predators to see them.


 

Chameleon, butterfly, polar bear

3. Pattern

It isn't easy to see where the body of the animal starts or ends

Zebra, tiger

 

Activity 2

Say: We will now match camouflaging animals to what helps them camouflage. 

  • Distribute Worksheet 2 to every child.

  • Explain to the children that they should complete the sentences. For example, the polar bear is camouflaged by its color. 

  • Allow the students to work either individually or in groups to complete the table on Worksheet 2. 

Feedback:

Say: Who would like to name an animal or insect that camouflage that we have not talked about?

Written by Vallary Atieno
Education World Contributor
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