It’s time to dust off those Habitats Activities! Teaching habitats is one of my favorite science topics because kids get so into it! There’s just something about learning where animals live, how they survive, and the different environments around the world that really grabs their attention. Whether you’re diving into the ocean, exploring the rainforest, or trekking through the freezing tundra, there are so many hands-on ways to make habitats come to life in the classroom. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite habitats activities, books, and projects that will get your students excited about learning where animals call home. Let’s jump in!
Introducing Habitats
I like to start every science unit with a KWL chart to grab students’ prior knowledge and misconceptions. This is an email list freebie. If you sign up for my email list, these free anchor chart and habitats activities will be sent right to your inbox. Download it here.
(Source: BrainPop Jr.)
After you gather students’ misconceptions and schema, start first by teaching what a habitat is. Then, move on to individual habitats. BrainPop Jr. has six different videos to watch.
Time to Explore Deeper With Habitats Activities
My habitats no-prep resource pack comes with passages and a KWL chart on what a habitat is. Then, it goes more in-depth on seven individual habitats (arctic, desert, grasslands, ocean, forest, rainforest, and ponds). Each specific habitat has a passage, writing sheets, animal pages, true or false, fact writing, and more!
Plugging Their New Knowledge into Crafty Habitats Activities
Time for the students to use all their new learning to make art projects and science projects. Check out these awesome projects I found on other blogs!
(Source: Fun in First) Jodi’s poster can be a running anchor chart during the entire unit. The students have added animals to each habitat as they find out what animals live there.
(Source: PIN– No link to the owner. If anyone knows who made this pin, let me know!) These habitats activities dioramas are so neat! These are made out of paper plates and the students have drawn animals and glued them into their habitats.
Reviewing Knowledge About Teaching Habitats
Make sure the students have learned how each habitat is different from the others. One way to do this is through writing projects. Split the kiddos up into groups. Have each group focus on one of the seven habitats you studied. There are freebie poster headers for each poster. Have the students write directly on the chart paper or Post-It notes. After the posters are finished, have the students present them to the class. Extra idea: Have students write facts at the top and then draw the habitat and animals underneath.
Stock Up on Resources for Habitats Activities Below
Do you want resources for all of your related lessons? Would you like to teach habitats without all of the prep?
HABITATS PASSAGES AND WORKSHEETS
NONFICTION READING FLIP BOOKS
TEACHING SLIDES & NOTE-TAKING SHEETS
Want to read more science blog posts?
- Teaching Students about the Water Cycle
- Landforms Activities
- Tips for Teaching Weather to Kids
- Spring Life Cycles Science Unit Tips
Interested in the FREE activity from this post?
When you sign up, you’ll be delivered this FREE HABITATS ACTIVITY directly to your email inbox.
