Summary:

Students will learn about animal adaptations as well as create their own animal with special adaptations.

Learning Goals / Objectives:

Students will explore ideas in a sketch book of animals invented to survive in a variety of environments

Background

The Jubjub bird was an animal invented by Lewis Carroll, and while it appears in the Jabberwocky, it is featured prominently in The Hunting of the Snark, specifically in the part of the poem entitled “The Beaver’s Lesson.” An ebook version of the original printing including illustrations by henry Holiday, can be found using the URL below.

http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/carroll/lewis/snark

The Jubjub bird was not written in Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, but appears in Tim Burton’s 2010 movie version, which is why the Jubjub illustration was created.

Setup:

Gather all the materials needed for the art project.

Anticipatory Set:

Discuss and Learn About Animal Adaptation
Use the following resources to learn about and teach animal adaptation

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/
This is an easily navigable site, and when students click on any animal, a slide show spears, providing information about animal adaptation.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/animal/readpick.asp
This is part of a scholastic website that features children’s reports about animal adaptation.

Nature’s Best Camouflages are shown in this 3 minute YouTube video. Kids will love trying to find the animals. Note: Has a commercial beginning with no option to skip, so must be cued up before viewing.

Instructions / Activities:

Discuss Anchor Artworks
Show students the anchor artwork and provide background information. Discuss, perhaps using the following questions.

1. The Jubjub bird is invented. In Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark, the bird is described as having a “screeching” cry, like “chalk on slate.” How do you think the artist began thinking about what the Jubjub would look like? (Artists think by drawing in sketchbooks.)

2. Think about animal adaptation and pretend the Jubjub bird is real. Where does the Jubjub live? Why do you say that? What does the Jubjub eat? Why do you think that?

Create the Artwork

1. Explain to students that they will be making a sketchbook to explore ideas about animal adaptation.

2. Provide students with a 12″ by 18″ sheet of white construction paper, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue and dry coloring materials (markers, colored pencils, crayons).

3. Using the instructions (attached), direct students in making a “Hot Dog Book.”

4. When the books are completed, give each student a “think About It…” handout (attached), and go over directions for making their sketches of invented animals. Students can select 5 clues, cut them out and glue one clue to the top of each page in the book (skipping what will be the book cover, and book back).

5. Have students complete their drawings

6. (Optional) Have students create a book cover design on the front, including a book title and their name.

Writing
Have students select one of their invented animals and write a poem or story about it.

Assessment:

Teachers discretion.

Wrap-up / Closure:

Have students exchange books, and compare how animals adapted to the same environment. Have students report about interesting adaptations.

Attachments: