Habitats and Homes

Content Objectives

Children will:

• Learn about the concept of animal habitats.
• Access prior knowledge and build background about different animal homes.
• Explore and apply the concept of different animal homes to why animals live in special kinds of homes.

Language Objectives

Children will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of animal habitats.
• Orally use words that describe different kinds of animal homes.
• Extend oral vocabulary by talking about why animals need different habitats.
• Use key concept words [polar bear, clownfish, rattlesnake, den, reef, the Arctic, habitat].

Other

Explain

• Use the slideshow to review the key concept words.
• Explain that children are going to learn about:
• What a habitat is.
• What the Arctic habitat is like.
• What a coral reef habitat is like.
• What a desert habitat is like.

Model

• After the host introduces the slideshow, point to the photo on screen. Ask children: What do you see in this picture? (rabbit, grass, flowers). Why would this animal not live in a Arctic habitat? (not the right kind of food, too cold).
• Proceed to the next slide. Ask children: Why might it be hard for this animal to live in the desert? (too hot, not the right kind of fur).
• Say: Some habitats seem hard to live in. Why do you think animals live in the desert and the Arctic? (answers will vary).

Guided Practice

• Guide children through the next two slides, showing the different kinds of animal habitats. Always have the children say an animal that wouldn't live in that habitat.

Apply

• Have children play the games that follow. Have them discuss with their partner the different topics that appear during the Talk About It feature.
• After the first game, ask children to talk about how they can tell the difference between animals that live on land and animals that live in water and help them learn more about the animals they're interested in. After the second game, have them discuss how they could tell which animal belonged in which habitat.

Close

• Ask children: Why should we protect animal habitats? Explain.
• Summarize for children that a habitat is a place where an animal can find the things it needs to be happy and healthy. Animals need special places to live where they can find food, shelter, and the right kind of environment. Encourage children to think about how they could help protect an animal habitat near where they live.