Skip to Main Content
Lesson Plan Image

Combo Creatures

Students will explore animal attributes that help them survive, then sculpt a creature that combines some unique features.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    All animals possess features that help it survive in the world. For example, a monkey's tail provides balance and helps it climb, marsupials have pouches for carrying their young shortly after birth, primates (with few exceptions) have opposable thumbs, etc. Have students investigate some animals and the features that help them in their habitats.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to think of some features they would like to combine, then have them sculpt a creature out of Air-Dry Clay that displays two or three combined features. When the sculpture is complete, they can paint it with watercolors.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their unique creature and explain why they chose the special features they depicted.

Standards

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models. 

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas.

Adaptations

Ask students to write an imaginative story about the creature they designed. What would it be called? Where would it live? What would it eat? Who are its friends?

Have students imagine and illustrate a new product that combines different features. For example, they might create a baking dish that has a built-in recipe display.