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🐾 Weeks 7-9: Animal Habitats

Unit Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 3 sessions (30 min each)
Curriculum Year B
STREAM Focus S (Science), E (Engineering), R (Religion)

Weeks 7-9: Animal Habitats

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Identify what animals need to survive (food, water, shelter) 2. Research a specific animal's habitat needs 3. Design and build a model habitat 4. Explain how their habitat meets the animal's needs

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Understand stewardship of animals as God's command 2. Show care for creatures as part of creation 3. Connect habitat care to environmental responsibility

Weeks 7-9: Animal Habitats

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Stewardship of Creation — God gave humans responsibility to care for animals and the earth. Designing habitats helps us understand what animals need so we can protect them.

Scripture Connection

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." — Genesis 2:15

Saint Connection

St. Francis of Assisi — Patron of animals who called creatures his brothers and sisters. He teaches us to respect and care for all living things.

📚 Materials Needed

  • Animal picture cards

  • Habitat research books/materials

  • Building materials (boxes, paper, natural items)

  • Craft supplies

  • Habitat planning sheets

  • Model animal toys

Session 1: Animal Needs

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"St. Francis, you loved all animals as brothers and sisters. Help us learn about animals today so we can care for them better. Teach us to be good stewards of God's creatures. Amen."

Introduction: What Animals Need (8 min)

All animals need:

  • 🍎 Food — What do they eat?

  • 💧 Water — Where do they find water?

  • 🏠 Shelter — Where do they live? What protects them?

  • 🌡️ Right conditions — Temperature, light, space

A HABITAT provides these things!

Examples:

  • Fish: Water, water plants, pond or tank

  • Bird: Seeds, water dish, trees or birdhouse

  • Rabbit: Vegetables, water, burrow or hutch

St. Francis connection:

  • "He called the sun 'Brother Sun' and the moon 'Sister Moon'"

  • "All creatures are our family"

  • "We take care of family!"

Animal Research (15 min)

Choose an animal to research:

  • Bird (robin, cardinal, owl)

  • Mammal (rabbit, squirrel, deer)

  • Insect (butterfly, bee, ladybug)

  • Reptile (turtle, frog)

Research questions: 1. What does your animal EAT? 2. What does your animal DRINK? 3. Where does your animal LIVE? 4. What keeps your animal SAFE? 5. Does it need special temperature or space?

Record on planning sheet:

  • Draw the animal

  • List what it needs

  • Draw where it lives

Closing (5 min)

Share findings:

  • What animal did you research?

  • What's ONE thing it needs?

Preview: "Next time: design your habitat!"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for all the animals You created. Help us be good caretakers of Your creatures. Amen."

Session 2: Habitat Design

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Creator God, help us design good homes for animals today. May our work show love for Your creatures. Amen."

Design Phase (10 min)

Review animal needs from research.

Design questions:

  • How will you show where the animal gets FOOD?

  • How will you show where it gets WATER?

  • Where is the SHELTER?

  • How is it PROTECTED?

Draw your habitat design:

  • Bird's eye view (from above)

  • Label the parts

  • List materials you'll need

Teacher approval before building.

Building Phase (15 min)

Available materials:

  • Cardboard boxes (various sizes)

  • Construction paper

  • Natural items (sticks, leaves, rocks)

  • Cotton balls, fabric scraps

  • Glue, tape, scissors

Build your habitat!

  • Include ALL four things animal needs

  • Make it appropriate size (model)

  • Be creative!

Teacher circulates:

  • "Where does the animal get food?"

  • "Where is the water?"

  • "Where does it shelter?"

  • "How did you protect it?"

Closing (3 min)

Quick share:

  • Show your progress

  • What's working well?

Closing Prayer: "Thank You for time to create today. Bless our habitats and help us finish them well. Amen."

Session 3: Habitat Presentations

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"St. Francis, help us share what we've learned about caring for animals. May we always treat creatures with kindness. Amen."

Finishing Touches (8 min)

Complete habitats:

  • Final additions

  • Labels if desired

  • Prepare to present

Habitat Presentations (15 min)

Each student shares: 1. "My animal is ___________." 2. "Here is where it gets FOOD: ___________." 3. "Here is where it gets WATER: ___________." 4. "Here is its SHELTER: ___________." 5. "I protect it by ___________."

Audience response:

  • One thing you like about this habitat

  • One question

Real-World Connection (3 min)

Discussion:

  • "How can we help REAL animals have good habitats?"

  • Bird feeders

  • Bee-friendly gardens

  • Not disturbing wild areas

  • Clean water

Stewardship commitment:

  • "God gave us responsibility for animals"

  • "What's ONE thing you could do to help animals?"

Closing (2 min)

Celebration:

  • "You are habitat engineers!"

  • "You learned to think about what animals need"

  • "You can use this to help real animals"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for trusting us to care for Your animals. Help us be good stewards of all creatures. May we always remember that animals are our brothers and sisters in creation. Amen."

📎 Home Connection

"We designed animal habitats! Ask your child: 'What animal did you research?' 'What four things do animals need?' 'How did you include them in your habitat?' We learned about St. Francis and caring for creation. Consider putting up a bird feeder or planting flowers for bees as a family stewardship project!"

✅ Assessment

  • Identified four animal needs

  • Researched specific animal requirements

  • Designed habitat addressing all needs

  • Presented and explained habitat

Unit Version: 1.0 | Last Updated: 2025-12-05