Habitat Basics
Videos
GradesK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Science, English Language Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by PBS
What it is
- This video explains that all animals need habitats that provide access to food, water, shelter, and space.
- Students will learn about niches and how all animals must have their own job in the habitat to survive.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This succinct video introduces habitats in an uncomplicated way.
- The narrator explains many key vocabulary terms and uses beneficial visuals and labels to help with comprehension.
Additional Prerequisites
- Though the term "niche" is explained in the video, teachers may want to go over the concept before students view the video.
- Teachers may want to pause the video periodically to explain some of the narrator's methods, such as the animal business cards.
Differentiation
- Students could take notes or draw pictures on a simple graphic organizer with the terms food, water, shelter, and space during or after the video.
- Cross-curricular connections could be made to language arts lessons as students learn to summarize, determine the main idea, and ask and answer questions about word meanings.
- Other resources on this topic include this artwork that shows how human actions impact animals and these games and activities that teach students about ecosystems and environmental justice.
From the scientist review
This resource spotlights key qualities species must exhibit including how they can interact with each other to survive in their ecological niche. This is recommended for teaching.
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