Ask. . .

1. Even though birds and humans are very different, we all need the same things to survive.
2. What are some of our needs? Food, water, shelter and space

Do. . .

1. For each need, introduce the symbol (see left) and have students say each need as they do the action.
2. Call out various symbols and have the students do the corresponding symbol.

Explain. . .

1. Animals have the same needs we do. In science we call these needs the animals' HABITAT. An animals' habitat looks very different from ours, and so they have special habits just like we do that help them survive in their habitat.
2. What habit do we do to help us find shelter? Build houses, wear coats.
3. We are going to see if we can create some habitat for this duck (show Mallard picture)
4. Show the following pictures and discuss:.
5. Food- seeds in water and fields, sometimes insects
6. Water- from ponds, rivers and lake where they forage for food.
7. Shelter/Cover- wetland plants sometimes in shallow water
8. Space- one duck doesn't need that much space, but sometimes they need to travel great distances when parts of their habitat become scarce. In what season is there not much food available?

Do. . .

1. Let's create some duck habitat.
2. Have students close their eyes and pick a habitat symbol.
3. Tally each habitat symbol.
4. Show the students the results on the white board.

Ask. . .

1. Do we have enough food, water, shelter and space to support our duck? All the numbers should be about equal.
2. When might there be no water for the duck? Drought
3. What season might there not be any food for the duck? Winter
4. What does the duck do during the winter? Migrate
5. Do people sometime affect duck habitat? Using water for farming, building houses on duck habitat, polluting the water.

Explain. . .

1. We are sitting in the middle of some GREAT duck habitat. By looking around can you see why? Sometimes we take away duck habitat by building houses or farming. We have set aside THIS place for ducks and many other birds and we call it a National Wildlife Refuges. Everyone say "National Wildlife Refuge".

Ask. . .

1. Today we are in the birds habitat/home to learn about them. When we are in other people's houses how do we act.
2. Be respectful by not being really noisy or sneaking up on animals.
3. Leave things clean and neat by not dropping trash.
4. Do not take the habitat home.

Go to Page 10

 

Habitat: The arrangement of food, water, shelter or cover, and space suitable to animals' needs.