STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Why do grass plants have nodes and raspberry plants have thorns? Why do spiders make silk and beavers have water repellent fur? The physical structure and behavioral adaptations of an organism help it to survive in its environment – to avoid predation, to gather the food and water it needs, to find a mate. We'll compare different organisms to think about how particular physical characteristics relate to important skills and behaviors, and ultimately to survival.

Throughout this year-long study, students will explore the characteristics of organisms, look for similarities and differences among them, learn about natural selection and wonder at the diversity of life on Earth.

Vermont Standards: Inquiry 7.1, The Living World 7.13, Natural Resources and Agriculture 7.16, Listening 1.13, Questioning 2.1, Sustainability 3.9, Understanding Place 4.6 New Hampshire Standards: Science Process Skills SPS1, SPS3, SPS4, Life Science LS1, LS2, LS3

SPIDERS: Spiders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all share some specific characteristics – two body parts, eight legs, no wings or antennae. Some weave beautiful webs to capture their prey while others wander in search of food. We'll take a close look at the adaptations of spiders, learn about their carnivorous lives, and scout outdoors for spiders and their webs.

BEAVERS AND MUSKRATS: With their round, furry bodies, twinkling eyes, and dexterous front feet, these two rodents have a certain charm that endears them to us. We'll look at the characteristics of these distantly related cousins to see how well they are adapted to live and work in a wetland habitat. A field trip to a beaver pond is essential!

PREDATORS AND PREY: Herbivores and carnivores both must eat, but the challenges these two groups of animals face in getting enough to eat are very different. Plant eaters don't have to stalk their food, but they do need to keep from being eaten while they browse. And carnivores spend lots of time and energy looking for and capturing their prey. We'll compare the characteristics of both of these groups and discover that it is indeed eat or be eaten out there.

SKULLS AND DIET: What can we learn about an animal by looking at the structure of its skull, the shape and size of its eyes, the type and arrangement of its teeth? Consider the sturdy orange incisors of a beaver, the sharp cutting molars of a feline, the forward facing eye sockets of a wolf, or the long nose of a white-tailed deer. Skulls can tell us a great deal about the habits of an animal. We'll examine a variety of skulls to compare herbivore and carnivore adaptations, thinking about what the shape and structure reveal about the animal itself.

BIRDS' BODIES: A hummingbird’s slender bill fits deep into a flower, an osprey’s scaly talons grasp a thrashing fish, a vulture’s wings provide lift for soaring. Each bird species is adapted to survive in a particular environment. Looking at different birds and comparing their characteristics and behaviors gives us a wonderful opportunity to see how structure and function go hand in hand in the natural world.

CALLING ALL OWLS: Imagine the challenge of finding a tiny mouse in the grass in the dark. Now imagine that if you don't find it, you'll be very, very hungry! As nocturnal predators, owls face some challenges in finding food and a mate. We'll look at some of the characteristics that help owls be successful. And we'll determine where on the food chain owls fit when we dissect a pellet to see what is fueling these nighttime hunters.

PLANT AND ANIMAL DEFENSES: A prickly thorn, a painful bite, a hard shell, a scary rattle, plants and animals have developed many different defense strategies to protect themselves. We'll look at a variety of these natural defenses and learn how these different structures help living things survive.

HONEYBEES: When you watch bees flying from flower to flower gathering nectar and honey, you can see what it means to be "busy as a bee." Honeybees have a complex social structure that is fascinating to study. We'll look at the anatomy of bees, study their honeycombs, and discover the different roles within the hive. And of course, we'll enjoy a sweet snack, thanks to the hard work of the honeybee.