Habitat Scramble
GradesK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Science, Mathematics
What it is
In this activity, students will act as a species trying to survive in a particular habitat and learn how changes to the habitat can affect the species that live there.
Students will learn about features of a habitat, carrying capacity, factors that can disturb a habitat, and how humans contribute to habitat changes.
Teaching tips
Preparation:
Make a set of habitat cards for each student. Consider using scrap paper or other items like beads/dry beans/blocks/etc. for some of the cards, as they are just meant to represent air, water, food, shelter, soil, and space.
Materials:
A circle of yarn, string, a hula hoop, or some other way of identifying the habitats for each group of 4 students within the class.
Habitat cards or other materials
Prerequisites:
Consider having students watch this short PBS video about habitat basics or this video about what a habitat is before playing the game.
Extensions:
Put students into groups to have them do a deeper dive into a specific habitat using these videos on rainforests, woodlands, or oceans.
Allow students to play this interactive media game where they match animals with their correct ecological habitats.
After playing this game, art classes can look at this watercolor by Jill Pelto and discuss how habitat degradation is impacting forest species.
From the scientist review
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