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Description
Earth's tremendous variety of living organisms are the subject of this activity that combines a classroom exercise with an outdoor experience to teach students about the connections between adaptations and environmental conditions. Pupils examine biological diversity by organizing animals into certain habitats based on their morphology and life requirements. The outdoor exploration has learners closely observe an animal or plant in it's natural surroundings to describe which unique characteristics help it survive. As they discover some of nature's amazing inhabitants, students will realize that the health of our planet depends on biodiversity and we must all learn to live sustainably to protect the biomes, ecosystems and habitats that support such a vast array of life.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource supports Grade 3-5 Science units that are exploring animal and plant adaptations, habitats and biodiversity. Discussions regarding food webs and interdependence in ecosystems can also be incorporated into the lesson.
Students will learn that living sustainably is important in protecting animal and plant species. This topic could form the basis of an action project in which students create a local public awareness campaign about reducing ecological footprints. The school could become a model for sustainable living with simple projects that demonstrate the benefits of practices such as limiting food waste or establishing a "no-idle" zone for vehicles.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Investigating change and the diversity of Earth’s systems helps us to develop understandings of the conditions necessary to sustain life.
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interaction
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Wetland Ecosystems
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Plants
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 5
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (3)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Interdependence
