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Session 4: Animal Habitats 🦎

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 4 of 17

Students explore how animals are designed for their habitats and create habitat models demonstrating this connection.

Session 4: Animal Habitats

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Define habitat and identify its components

  • Explain how animals are adapted to their habitats

  • Design and build a habitat model

  • Connect habitat design to God's providence

Session 4: Animal Habitats

Materials Needed

  • 📸 Pictures of various habitats/animals

  • 📦 Habitat model materials (boxes, craft supplies)

  • 🌿 Natural materials (if available)

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 📋 Habitat component checklist

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Francis of Assisi — Patron saint of animals and ecology! He saw all creatures as brothers and sisters.

Scripture

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." — Matthew 6:26

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you designed each creature perfectly for its home. Like St. Francis, help us appreciate and protect all living things. Thank you for the wonder of habitats! Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. What is a Habitat?
  2. "A habitat is an animal's HOME—where it finds everything it needs"
  3. Habitat Components (Four Things Needed):
  4. 🍽️ Food — What does it eat?
  5. 💧 Water — How does it get water?
  6. 🏠 Shelter — Where does it hide/sleep?
  7. 🌡️ Space — Room to move and live
  8. Perfect Design — "God designed each animal for its habitat!"
  9. St. Francis — Loved all creatures

Main Activity: Habitat Design Challenge (26 minutes)

Part 1: Habitat Exploration (6 minutes)

  • Explore habitat types:
  • 🌲 Forest — Trees, seasons, varied animals
  • 🏜️ Desert — Hot, dry, special adaptations
  • 🌊 Ocean — Saltwater, pressure, water-breathing
  • 🧊 Arctic — Cold, ice, thick fur/blubber

  • 🌿 Rainforest — Wet, layers, biodiversity

  • Pick ONE habitat to design

Part 2: Design & Build (16 minutes)

Choose Animal & Habitat (2 min):

  • Select habitat type

  • Choose animal for that habitat

  • Think: How is this animal designed for its home?

Design (3 min):

  • Sketch habitat model

  • Include all 4 components: food, water, shelter, space

  • Label adaptations

Build (11 min):

  • Create 3D habitat model in box or on paper plate

  • Show:

  • Where food comes from
  • Water source
  • Shelter/hiding spots

  • Space for movement

  • Add your animal (drawn or craft)

Part 3: Habitat Showcase (4 minutes)

  • Gallery walk to see habitats

  • Presenters explain: "My animal survives because..."

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw your habitat model
  2. Label: Food, Water, Shelter, Space
  3. Write: "My animal is designed for its habitat because..."
  4. Write: "God shows care for animals by..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Design Appreciation — "What amazed you about animal adaptations?"
  2. Stewardship — "How can we protect habitats?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for designing animals perfectly for their homes. Help us be good stewards of your creation. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified habitat components

  • Connected animal adaptations to habitat

  • Created habitat model with all 4 components

  • Explained animal's survival design

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Habitat template with labeled sections

  • Partner work

  • Focus on familiar animals

For Advanced Students

  • Research specific adaptations

  • Compare two animals in same habitat

  • Include food chain in model

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: What's YOUR habitat? List the food, water, shelter, and space in your home! Watch nature documentaries about different habitats. Visit a zoo and observe how exhibits recreate natural habitats.

Teacher Notes

  • Connect to standards on habitats and adaptations

  • Consider outdoor observation of local habitat

  • Coordinate with science curriculum

  • Habitats can be displayed for parents

Previous: Session 3 — Bridge Engineering
Next: Session 5 — Scratch Intro