Habitats of the World

This lesson plan supports student understanding of the following: Earth supports many different animal habitats, each of which has distinct features,a distinct plan, animal populations, and how animals and plants are adapted to the conditions of the habitats in which they live.

 

Weblink address (URL): 
Habitats of the World

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will understand the following: 

  • Earth supports many different animal habitats, each of which has distinct features and distinct plant and animal populations.
  • Animals and plants are adapted to the conditions of the habitats in which they live.

 

Essential and guiding questions: 

Compare a cheetah to a top athlete. In what types of sports would cheetahs excel?

Many trees grow in the temperate forest. Talk about several ways in which the animals that live in the temperate forest depend on trees.

The tropical rain forest is home to more species of animals than any other habitat, and yet the rain forest is in danger because so many rain-forest trees and other plants are needed for many products we use. Can you devise a plan to preserve the rain forest without depriving human beings of products on which they depend?

Humans, as well as animals, live in the desert. Compare and contrast the ways in which humans and animals have adapted to life in this habitat.

Many scientists believe that, as a result of global warming, the polar ice cap is beginning to melt. Discuss what the effects that the melting of the polar ice cap might have on the rest of the world. Can anything be done to stop or slow down the process of global warming?

Imagine that you are a tidepool animal, and describe a day in your life in the tidepool. What difficulties do you have to overcome? What are the positive aspects of life in a tidepool?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Extension suggestions: 

Habitat Sites 

To learn more about the habitats the class has been studying, have students visit a Web site for each habitat. Students should be able to find sites easily, but here are some suggestions: 

Grasslands: cheetahspot 

Temperate forest: northolympic 

Tropical rain forest: edens 

Desert: desertusa 

Polar ice: antarctica 

Tidepool: tidepools 

 

Mystery Animals 

Divide your class into groups. Have each group choose an unusual or unfamiliar animal from the habitat it has been assigned and prepare a card with the name of the animal, a description of the animal's physical and behavioral characteristics, and a picture of the animal. Mix up the cards and give one to each group, making sure that no group gets its own card. Then challenge each group to figure out, on the basis of the animal's physical and behavioral characteristics, whether the animal it has been given belongs in the habitat the group was assigned.

 

References

Contributors: 
Becky Holden
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation