Week 3: Habitats

Weekly Focus

Children learn about different habitats and why specific plants and animals live in certain places, exploring how plants and animals depend on each other and their environment.

Week at a Glance

Understand why plants and animals live where they do
Explore different types of habitats
Create models of habitats
Recognize how plants and animals depend on each other

Kindergarten students learning about animal habitats

Weekly Overview

Theme

Habitats

Focus Areas

Habitat types
Habitat needs
Interdependence
Habitat models

Key Vocabulary

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Creating Habitat Models

When creating habitat models with young children, provide a variety of natural and recycled materials. Encourage children to think about what the plants and animals in their habitat need to survive. Take photos of the completed models and create a class book where children can dictate or write about their habitats. This extends the learning and creates a lasting record of their understanding.

Daily Plans

Monday: What is a Habitat?

Daily schedule and activities

Morning Activity

Morning Circle: Introduce the concept of habitats using the poem 'At My Home'

Literacy Focus

Discuss where humans live and why

Math Focus

Count and sort pictures of different habitats

Afternoon Activity

Play 'Skip to My Lou' with habitat-themed verses

Materials Needed

Habitat poem chart
Pictures of different habitats
Sorting mats
Music for game
Habitat photographs

Assessment Notes

Observe students' prior knowledge about habitats and their understanding of why living things live in specific places.

Featured Activities

Habitat Matching Game

Students match animal cards to their correct habitat mats, discussing why each animal belongs in that habitat.

Duration

30 minutes

Materials

Habitat mats
Animal cards
Sorting trays
Habitat fact cards

Learning Areas

Science

Critical Thinking

Vocabulary Development

Habitat Dioramas

Students create shoebox dioramas of different habitats, including appropriate plants and animals made from various materials.

Duration

60 minutes (may be spread over multiple sessions)

Materials

Shoeboxes
Construction paper
Natural materials
Clay
Small animal figures

Learning Areas

Science

Art

Fine Motor Skills

Interdependence Diagrams

Students create simple diagrams showing connections between plants and animals in a habitat using pictures and arrows.

Duration

35 minutes

Materials

Plant and animal pictures
Arrow cards
Chart paper
Glue
Markers

Learning Areas

Science

Systems Thinking

Visual Representation

Habitat Dramatic Play

Students role-play being different animals in their habitats, acting out how they find food, water, and shelter.

Duration

40 minutes

Materials

Animal masks/headbands
Habitat backdrop
Props for food/water/shelter
Music

Learning Areas

Dramatic Play

Science

Physical Development

Connecting to Local Habitats

Make learning about habitats relevant by focusing on local environments that children may have experienced. Take a nature walk around the school to identify mini-habitats like a tree, a flower bed, or even a puddle after rain. Help children observe the plants and small animals that live in these spaces and discuss how these living things' needs are met in these habitats.

Resources

Books

"Who Lives Here?" by Nicola Davies
"A House Is a House for Me" by Mary Ann Hoberman
"I Can't Live Here" by Pamela Hickman
"Animal Homes" by Jennifer Boothroyd
"The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry

Printables

Habitat sorting cards
Animal-habitat matching worksheets
Habitat characteristics charts
Interdependence diagram templates
Habitat model planning sheets

Home Connection

Send home a family activity sheet that encourages parents/caregivers to explore different habitats in their neighborhood with their child and discuss what plants and animals live there and why.

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