As students approach adaptations lessons, keep in mind that according to research, most lower-elementary school students are still forming a basic understanding of how animals survive in their environments. For example, many students understand a simple food link between two animals, but many still assume that animals live independent of each other. If students say they understand adaptations, be sure to check for conceptual understanding and the ability to apply their knowledge to several situations (AAAS 1993, p. 342).