GR. 1 SCIENCE UNIT

Lessons

1: Animals
2: Animal Charades
3: Animals Shapes
4: Animal Coats
5: Lunch Time
6: Animal Friends
7: Animal Sort
8: Off to Petland
9: Basic Needs for Pets
10: The Pet Vet
11: Staying Alive
12: Animal Habitats
13: Animal Adaptations
14: Animal Homes
15: Staying Alive
16: Animal Life Cycles
17: Animal Babies
18: Birds and Reptiles

LESSON 12 – ANIMAL HABITATS

Background:
Animals live in different kinds of places, or habitats, around the world. All animals live in habitats that suit their bodies and their way of life.

Objective:
Explain how animals are adapted to their environment. Describe the habitats of some animals.

Vocabulary: habitat

Quick Peek: The children investigate the diversity of animal habitats and create habitat murals.

Materials:
Source book: Animal Houses by Aileen Fisher
various books showing pictures of animal homes
large mural/poster paper
oaktag
crayons
scissors
glue

Method:

1. Read the story and discuss the various animal homes mentioned in the story.
2. Ask: “Where else can animals live?” (zoos, farms, ponds, deserts, oceans, rain forests, grasslands, woodlands, etc.)
3. Show the students pictures of different places that animals can live and have them identify which animals live there. Be sure to include examples of a pond, woodland area, grassland area, ocean, rain forest, desert and an ice and snow area.
4. Display each habitat poster (which you will have had prepared ahead of time) and discuss each of the environments.
5. Distribute a piece of oaktag to all of your students and ask them to draw 7 animals – one animal from each habitat to help contribute to the mural in which you have started for them. Encourage the students to look up animals in the class collection of books for ideas!
6. Display the 7 posters which have been created, labeling each of them.

*Excellent Web Site: Really Wild Animals - nationalgeographic.com
- visit habitats around the world and send the misplaced critters home