ELA Lesson: Animal Adaptation in Fiction
Created by Teacher(s): Cari Gallagher, Sustainable Jersey for Schools|Published on: August 11, 2024
Grades: 3
Type: Lesson Plan
Subjects: English Language Arts
Duration: 1 hour
Created by: New Jersey Climate Education Hub teachers
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
Students explore animal adaptation and literary genres through a silly book of fiction, then write their own stories.
Inquire: Students make predictions about a fictional book in which wooly mammoths try to adapt to a change in climate.
Investigate: Students listen to the story, identify the genre, order the story sequence, and discuss the plot.
Inspire: Using story sequence, students write their own fictional story about animals adapting to changes in climate.
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Teacher Writer
Cari Gallagher
New Jersey State Lead
Dr. Cari Gallagher holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Rider University, an M.A. in Education from The College of New Jersey, Educational Leadership certificates from NJExcel, and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Curriculum from National University. She is an elementary school teacher in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with more than 25 years of experience teaching students in grades PreK–6. In addition to her work in K–12 education, Dr. Gallagher serves as an adjunct professor and student teacher supervisor in the School of Education at The College of New Jersey. She is committed to preparing future educators while fostering innovative, student-centered teaching practices. As the New Jersey State Lead for SubjectToClimate, Dr. Gallagher continues to advance environmental and climate literacy through interdisciplinary education initiatives and provides professional development across the state. Her scholarship and advocacy focus on integrating climate education across the curriculum to empower students as informed, engaged citizens. Dr. Gallagher's insight has been published in Climate Change Education Across Disciplines K–12, The Washington Post, Edutopia, the NJEA Review, and ProQuest. Cari enjoys being outside in her free time, watching her kids play sports, gardening, and cooking.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →

