Education: Classroom Kits from the San Diego Zoo

Kit 2: Habitats
Grade level 3–6

Theme

Animals can be found throughout vastly different habitats all over the world. From the frozen desert of Antarctica to the hot box of the African veldt, animals turn up in every imaginable location. This kit contains seven different lessons which explore these habitats and the way the habitats affect the animals that inhabit them.

Skills Tested

Language arts, science ability, artistic skills, mathematics, social studies, and research skills

Lesson Material

Dragon Island—Student learn about the giant lizards and their habitat while creating their own life-size komodo dragon in an whole class activity based on kinesthetic learning.

Tree of Life—Through literature and a writing project students learn about tropical rain forests.

Desert Derby Debate—Students argue the pros and cons of human activity in the desert.

Mountain Mystery—Students learn the ins and outs of the forest habitat by tackling a fascinating logic problem.

Design-A-Sign—Students research an animal and its habitat, then create an informative sign.

Chain Reaction—Students explore the concept of the food chain, and how the animals are interdependent within a habitat.

Where in the World—Students discover habitat locations, then create their own with index cards and tongue depressors.