Science: Habitat and communities
We are lucky in Delta to have access to many different types of habitats. We are learning about our habitat through a variety of activities. We are using a simplified Science Unit available from Davies and Johnson Associates to begin reading concept area text. It may be helpful to preview or review the lessons below at home.
Lesson 1 - Introduction to Habitats
There are three words which fit together. They are environment, habitat, and niche. The environment is everything around where something grows - air, plants, soil, water. A habitat is a special area in the environment where a living thing such as an animal, plant, fish, bird or insect can grow and survive. Examples of habitat are oceans and the rain forest. A niche is the part of a habitat where a certain living thing can grow and survive.
Lesson 2 - Habitat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QajQcNtXLJM
Why are animals, plants and insects not the same all over the world? The answer is that depending on their different habitat they need different characteristics to survive. Living things called organisms interact with other organisms in their habitat. They depend on each other for food, shelter, safety and new growth or reproduction.
Lesson 3 - Help and Competition in a Habitat
All organisms interact with things in their habitat. Organisms either help each other or compete with each other. An organism such as a plant may help animals by providing food, shelter or protection. Animals assist plants by carrying their seeds to a new location either on their body or in their droppings. Organisms compete with each other when they need the same things for survival. This could be space to live and grow, food, water, reproduction or safety. If an organism cannot meet its needs due to competition it may die or move to a better habitat. When an organisms has found a place that has everything it needs to stay alive and grow, it has found its niche.
Lesson 4 - Dangers to Habitat
Smithsonian's National Zoological Park
In this lesson we learn that humans and other animals and organisms all depend on their habitats. They all need food, water, shelter and space to survive. If any parts of a habitat are lost, the animals may be harmed.
There are a number of dangers to habitat including chemical use, hunting, drought and extreme weather, pollution, mining and forestry and climate change. We will determine which of these are natural dangers and which are caused by humans (Habitat Dangers). To finish the lesson we will go on an Adventure to save Panda habitat in China.
There are a number of dangers to habitat including chemical use, hunting, drought and extreme weather, pollution, mining and forestry and climate change. We will determine which of these are natural dangers and which are caused by humans (Habitat Dangers). To finish the lesson we will go on an Adventure to save Panda habitat in China.
Lesson 5 - habitat research project
To finish this unit each student will choose a habitat they are interested in, research it and complete this research organizer. You will then present your findings to the class using a method of your choice - poster, powerpoint presentation, video, model, diorama or ? You will use this marking guide to determine your grade. As each student presents their findings you will gather information on this worksheet.