Lesson 6: Exploring Animal Habitats
Getting Started
Questions to Explore
- Why do living things need a healthy and safe environment?
- What do habitats provide for the plants, animals, and humans that live in them?
Facts and Definitions
- A scientist spends time observing things.
- A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals.
- A botanist is a scientist who studies plants.
Skills
- Recognize and describe a variety of habitats (S and SS)
- Observe the behavior of animals (S)
- Observe how animals interact with their surroundings (S)
- Demonstrate a sense of story (beginning, middle, and end) (LA)
- Make connections through the use of oral language (LA)
- Use words that name, describe, and tell action (LA)
- Recognize equivalent sets (M)
Materials
- books about an animal found in the habitat your child chooses to explore* (Activity 2 - optional)
- camera* (Activity 1 - Optional)
- clipboard* (Activity 1 - Optional)
- crayons or colored pencils
- glue
- scissors
* - denotes an optional material that may or may not be needed
Introduction
For this lesson, your child will explore an animal habitat. Select a habitat that is convenient for you and your child. For example, if you live in or near the woods, a forest habitat would be an obvious choice. If you live near a lake, river, or ocean, an aquatic habitat might be a good choice. You may also visit an aquarium or zoo if that is more convenient.
Ask your child if he can name the habitats that he discovered in the previous lesson. Review the three things people and animals need to live: water, food, and shelter. Practice the hand motions with your child (water — hand forms a cup and brings to mouth, food — touches tummy, and shelter — makes a roof with hands to cover head).
Explain to your child that one of a scientist's jobs is to observe the world, and many scientists spend their time closely observing animals and plants in their habitats. Introduce your child to the terms zoologist (a scientist who studies animals) and botanist (a scientist who studies plants).
Tell your child that for today's lesson, he is going to become a scientist. His job is going to be to observe a real animal habitat. Explain to your child where you will be going to observe the habitat and ask him to predict what he will find. Record his ideas.
Ask your child if he can name the habitats that he discovered in the previous lesson. Review the three things people and animals need to live: water, food, and shelter. Practice the hand motions with your child (water — hand forms a cup and brings to mouth, food — touches tummy, and shelter — makes a roof with hands to cover head).
Explain to your child that one of a scientist's jobs is to observe the world, and many scientists spend their time closely observing animals and plants in their habitats. Introduce your child to the terms zoologist (a scientist who studies animals) and botanist (a scientist who studies plants).
Tell your child that for today's lesson, he is going to become a scientist. His job is going to be to observe a real animal habitat. Explain to your child where you will be going to observe the habitat and ask him to predict what he will find. Record his ideas.