Animal Habitats

Summary

This is the first of several lessons focusing on the changes animals make to survive their habitats during the 4 seasons. In this lesson, students will learn 5 different habitats, and the needs of the animals within that habitat.

Materials

*Listen to the Desert by Pat Moya *Rain, Rain, Rain Forest by Brenda Z. Guiberson *Let's Find Out: Ocean Life by Scholastic *Farm Life by Elizabeth Spurr *Amazing Arctic Animals by Jackie Glassman

Background for Teachers

Teachers should visit each website before progressing with this unit. Teachers need to ensure a schedule during this unit that provides access to enough computers that students can each have a turn to play the games with a partner or alone.

Student Prior Knowledge

This lesson would be appropriate for learners of all levels including ELL and special education.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to name at least one habitat and 2-3 animals within that habitat.

Instructional Procedures

Day one: View video from TeacherTube called Animal Alphabet. After viewing, chose some common animals from the presentation, and fill out the KWL chart about those animals and where they live. Explain to students that a habitat is where an animal makes its home. Read Farm Life to students. Add any details to the KWL chart as needed after reading book. Have students choose one animal, and draw the animal in the habitat in their journal. Allow time for students to share their drawings if they wish. For each of the following presentation days, choose one book to read from the materials list. Continue to fill out the KWL chart as you complete each habitat. Review each type of habitat daily and encourage students to name 3 animals that live in that habitat. Students can continue to draw animals in the new habitat as each lesson is taught, or they can work on making a class mural of the habitat. As time is allowed, utilize the web page resources to allow students to practice putting animals in their environments by playing one of the 3 games. For lower performing students, have them work with a buddy and take turns placing animals in their correct homes.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

It would be helpful to extend this lesson and do some art activities drawing details of each habitat and either drawing or painting animals or cutting them out of magazines to make a mural. Label each animal and habitat and review daily for students who are learning the vocabulary.

Extensions

Students could use the habitat sorting sheet and use assorted small animals, animal cookies, or a variety of gummy animals and place in the correct environment. Students could color 2 sets of the animal habitat cards and make a memory game to play with friends and then take home.

Bibliography

www.scholastic.com, kaboose.com, greatlakeskids.com, learningpage.com