Exploring Habitats: A World of Homes

Science Grades 2nd Grade 15:06 Video
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Lesson Description

Discover the amazing world of habitats and how plants and animals adapt to live in them. From the freezing tundra to the hot desert, we'll explore different homes around the globe!

Video Resource

All About Habitats: Kids' Guide to Tundra, Deserts, Grasslands, Forests, and More

Harmony Square - Educational Videos & Activities

Duration: 15:06
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Key Concepts

  • Habitats are homes for plants and animals.
  • Different habitats have different climates and resources.
  • Plants and animals adapt to their habitats to survive.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify different types of habitats (tundra, desert, grassland, forest, ocean).
  • Students will be able to describe at least one plant or animal that lives in each habitat.
  • Students will be able to explain how animals adapt to survive in their habitats.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they think a habitat is. Discuss the idea that a habitat is a place where plants and animals live and find what they need to survive. Show pictures of different environments (forest, desert, ocean) and ask students to describe what they see.
  • Video Viewing (15 mins)
    Watch the video 'All About Habitats: Kids' Guide to Tundra, Deserts, Grasslands, Forests, and More' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7jwJ2bI9Lg). Encourage students to pay attention to the different habitats shown, the plants and animals that live there, and how they are adapted to their environment. Pause the video at the chapter guides (00:00:35, 00:04:41, 00:09:08, 00:13:13) to discuss what was just shown.
  • Habitat Exploration (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different habitat (tundra, desert, grassland, forest, ocean). Have each group research their assigned habitat using books or online resources and create a poster that includes the name of the habitat, a picture of the habitat, at least two plants or animals that live there, and a description of how the plants and animals are adapted to survive.
  • Group Presentations (15 mins)
    Have each group present their habitat poster to the class. Encourage students to ask questions and share what they learned.
  • Wrap-up and Review (10 mins)
    Review the different habitats discussed in the lesson. Ask students to share their favorite habitat and explain why. Discuss the importance of protecting habitats for all living things.

Interactive Exercises

  • Habitat Matching Game
    Create a matching game where students match pictures of habitats with pictures of animals that live there. This can be done as a class activity or individually.
  • Adaptation Charades
    Have students act out adaptations of different animals in different habitats. For example, a student could act out a camel storing water in its hump or a polar bear using its thick fur to stay warm.

Discussion Questions

  • What is your favorite habitat and why?
  • How do you think animals in the desert stay cool?
  • Why is it important to protect different habitats?

Skills Developed

  • Observation skills
  • Research skills
  • Communication skills
  • Critical thinking skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is a very cold habitat with ice and snow?

Correct Answer: Tundra

Question 2:

What kind of habitat has lots of trees?

Correct Answer: Forest

Question 3:

Which animal is adapted to live in the desert?

Correct Answer: Camel

Question 4:

A place where a plant or animal lives is called a:

Correct Answer: Habitat

Question 5:

Which habitat has lots of water and fish?

Correct Answer: Ocean

Question 6:

What helps animals survive in their habitats?

Correct Answer: Adaptations

Question 7:

What habitat has lots of grass and open space?

Correct Answer: Grassland

Question 8:

Which of these animals lives in the Tundra?

Correct Answer: Polar Bear

Question 9:

Which habitat gets very little rain?

Correct Answer: Desert

Question 10:

What is something plants and animals need from their habitat to survive?

Correct Answer: Water

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A __________ is a place where plants and animals live.

Correct Answer: habitat

Question 2:

Camels store water in their _________ to survive in the desert.

Correct Answer: hump

Question 3:

Polar bears have thick fur to keep them warm in the _________.

Correct Answer: tundra

Question 4:

Trees grow very tall in the ________ habitat.

Correct Answer: forest

Question 5:

Fish and whales live in the __________ habitat.

Correct Answer: ocean

Question 6:

Animals change or develop __________ to help them live in their habitat.

Correct Answer: adaptations

Question 7:

Zebras and lions live in the __________ habitat.

Correct Answer: grassland

Question 8:

Cactus plants do not need much __________ to live.

Correct Answer: water

Question 9:

We need to __________ habitats to keep them safe for plants and animals.

Correct Answer: protect

Question 10:

The climate in the desert is usually hot and _________.

Correct Answer: dry

Educational Standards

2.LS4.1:[Standard] Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. 2.LS4: Biological Unity and Diversity:Biological Unity and Diversity

Teaching Materials

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